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M U T

S P I R I T

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J A N U A R Y - M A R C H 2 0 2 0

Masiko Buthelezi, Jabulani Ngubane, and Joe Phadima

Trafficking in wildlife threatens to

obliterate some animal species if it is

left to continue. According to a 2019

report by the non-profit organisation,

Environmental Investigation Agency,

the global population of elephants is at

the lowest it has ever been in 25 years

owing to the illegal ivory trade. The rise

in rhino poaching since 2006 threatens

to wipe out the rhino population in South

Africa, which is home to three quarters

of the African population of rhinos. The

situation is worse for pangolin species

which are being trafficked at an alarming

rate, according to the report.

As part of World Wildlife Day (3 March), MUT

Nature Conservation alumni returned to their alma

mater to talk about their work in combating wildlife

poaching and trafficking in various sectors. In a

session organised by the Department of Nature

Conservation, MUT alumni delivered presentations

on various threats to wildlife and how some of those

threats could be managed or neutralised.

Joe Phadima, Executive Manager of Conservation

Services at Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, was the first

keynote speaker and focused on the role that

biodiversity policy could play in safeguarding

both animal and plant species. He explained that

as a developmental state, South Africa’s biggest

challenge was to develop its economy and people.

Phadima further explained that the challenge was

to develop in a manner that would not damage the

environment. “Our action will determine the future of

our biodiversity,” he said. He credited the success of

his organisation to biodiversity policy taking a central

role in their work.

MUT alumnus, Jabulani Ngubane, followed with a

detailed presentation on his organisation’s work in

guarding South Africa’s most famous endangered

animal, the rhino. Ngubane is an Executive at the

Isimangaliso Wetland Park, where his organisation

is tasked with protecting the wellbeing of rhinos

against poachers. Ngubane informed the audience

that the threat of poaching was always imminent and

very real. Last year, he explained, 133 rhinos were

killed by poachers.

MUT alumni take a stand against wildlife trafficking

In an environment where poaching is becoming a

sophisticated and lucrative crime fuelled by growing

consumer demand and increasing consumer

purchasing power in Vietnam, protecting rhinos might

be high on the list of challenging jobs. The challenges,

according to Ngubane, include dealing with a high

profile syndicate of poachers; high financial incentives

for poachers, who are constantly changing strategies;

a lack of information on syndicates from security

agencies; low conviction rates for poachers; and

inadequate funding for the required equipment to be

used against poachers.

To solve some of these challenges, Isimangaliso

Wetland Park has resorted to establishing intensive

Protection Zones, aerial surveillance with night vision

goggle capabilities, establishment of a nerve centre,

polygraph tests for staff, and temporary measures

such as dehorning smaller populations of rhinos,

among others.

Another MUT alumnus, Masiko Buthelezi, occupies

an important position in fighting wildlife trafficking.

He is in charge of wildlife export and import at OR

Tambo International Airport, where traffickers try their

luck in smuggling wildlife in and out of South Africa.

Buthelezi showed the audience various ways in which

traffickers attempt to smuggle wildlife at the airport.

Buthelezi highlighted the value of understanding the

laws that regulate the transportation of wildlife and

conservation law.

The session ended with a response from Nature

Conservation students before a lively debate on

trafficking.