 Reference Base  The role of the Endangered Species Protection Unit (ESPU)... |
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Lategan, P., 1994. The role of the Endangered Species Protection Unit (ESPU) of the South African Police in combating rhinoceros poaching and the smuggling of rhino horn: pp. 4-6
 | In: Penzhorn, B.L. et al. Proceedings of a symposium on rhinos as game ranch animals. Onderstepoort, Republic of South Africa, 9-10 September 1994: pp. i-iv, 1-242 |
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Poaching |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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In 1992, 99 persons were arrested in 52 cases and 84 rhino horns with an estimated value of R 2.016.000,00 were recovered. In 1993 only 44 horns were confiscated in 33 cases and 56 persons were arrested.
In that time the illegal trade in ivory escalated from 292 tusks in 1990 to almost 3 000 tusks in 1993. There could be various reasons for the decline in rhino horn confiscations. The fact is that there are very few rhinos left in Africa. Owing to reasonably good anti-poaching measures and security the losses to poaching in South Africa are minimal. Since 1 April 1990 to the end of February 1994 only 40 South African rhinos were lost to poachers. This must be seen against massive and costly security operations in Kenya and Zimbabwe when the Kruger National Park did not even have an fully operational anti-poaching unit. There is no doubt that we will face an increase in poaching as peace progresses in Southern Africa and we should be prepared for such a situation.
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