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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.