BIODIVERSITY MANAGEMENT PLANS: WHITE RHINOCEROS (CERATOTHERIUM SIMUM)
Title: Biodiversity management plan for the White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium Simum)
Government Notice: GNR 1191 in GG 39469 of 2 December 2015
Date of commencement: 2 December 2015
Potentially affected controls: Applications for authorisation in terms of NEMA and NEMBA
The white rhino is currently listed under the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as Near Threatened and nationally as Least Concern. However, given the recent continued escalation of poaching and the fact that the national list is outdated, both of these Red Listings are under review. Preliminary suggestions indicate that the national listing may change to Vulnerable. The IUCN’s African Rhino Red List Authority is to update the international status. It is also currently listed as a protected species in terms of section 56(1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 (NEMBA). In addition, South Africa’s white rhino population is included in CITES Appendix II but only for the export of live animals to appropriate and acceptable destinations, and the export of hunting trophies. All other specimens of the South African white rhino population are deemed to be included in Appendix I for which international commercial trade in horn and other rhino products is currently prohibited. The white rhino warrants special attention as a species both through its global status as well as its conservation dependence and current poaching threats. Hence, the development of a BMP for this species to ensure its long-term survival in the wild has become inevitable.
This BMP contains details on the following aspects:
• Background
• Conservation status and legislative context;
• Plan structure
• Key components
