Transporting wildlife? Here’s what you need to know!
Obeid Katumba, the EWT Wildlife in Trade Programme, Wildlife and Law Project Officer
Wildlife (including plants) faces many threats driven by human activities, including habitat loss, degradation, fragmentation, pollution, and the emerging threat posed by climate change. However, Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) remains one of the primary drivers of species decline. The consequences of IWT include the following:
The decline in species populations and species extinctions, as often rare, Endangered, threatened, and protected species are targeted and exploited, pushing them closer to extinction.
The spread of alien and invasive species (AIS) introduces species into habitats in which they do not naturally occur, and they threaten native species as they encroach on habitat and compete for resources.
Security concerns and wildlife trafficking have increasingly been linked to organised crime, corruption, money laundering activities, and the general undermining of the legal system.
Animal welfare concerns as the animals are often kept and transported in conditions that threaten their welfare.
The spread of Zoonosis, diseases that can be transmitted from animal to human, affects humans, wildlife, and agriculture.
IWT is an international concern and is known to be among the most lucrative criminal operations globally, alongside drug trafficking and human trafficking. As with other organised crime, IWT uses transport networks, both legal and illegal, for the movement of commodities, in this instance, wildlife.
Domestic pet transporters are increasingly used to transport wildlife illegally within South Africa. Sometimes these transporters do this unknowingly without understanding the relevant laws around transporting wildlife. In addition, these transporters might not verify the species of animal being transported, cannot accurately identify species, or might not know whether permits are required for possessing and transporting such species.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wildlife in Trade Programme aims to raise awareness of wildlife laws in the domestic pet transporting industry and ensure that domestic pet transporters and other operators across South Africa understand the legal requirements for transporting wildlife. To achieve this, we are launching a comprehensive online and social media awareness-raising campaign that will present quick reference guides demonstrating the legal requirements for possessing and transporting wildlife. The campaign will also provide information on the consequences of non-compliance with applicable laws and contact information for the relevant authorities for obtaining permits to possess and transport wildlife. Key information presented through the campaign will include:
What are the relevant laws to become familiar with?
How do you know what you are transporting?
Do you need a permit to transport it?
How can you get a permit?
What if you don’t have a permit?
As a starting point, it is important for everyone to know that permits are needed for restricted activities involving living or dead, part or whole, legally protected indigenous species (species that occur naturally in South Africa). Examples of indigenous species include South African Hedgehogs, Leopard Tortoises, African Rock Pythons, Sungazers, and the Cape Parrot.
Top: South African Hedgehog (Atelerix frontalis) and bottom: Leopard Tortoise (Stigmochelys pardalis)
Sungazer Lizard (Smaug giganteus, syn. Cordylus giganteus), also known as the giant girdled lizard, at a burrow
Examples of restricted activities involving protected species include:
Moving or translocating such species
Selling, buying, or otherwise trading in these species
Receiving, giving, donating, or accepting such species
Having in possession or exercising physical control over such species.
Permits are also required for restricted activities involving listed alien and invasive species (AIS). Examples of AIS include Burmese Python, Mallard Duck, and Rose-ringed Parakeet.
Examples of restricted activities involving Alien and Invasive species include:
Possessing or exercising physical control over AIS
Moving or otherwise translocating AIS
Selling, buying, or otherwise trading in AIS
Acquiring, receiving, giving, donating, or accepting AIS
Being involved in a restricted activity without a permit means that you have committed an offence, and if found guilty, the penalties can be up to ten years imprisonment, a fine not exceeding 10 million rand, or both per charge. In addition to fines and imprisonment, the guilty person can be held liable for costs associated with any rehabilitation and restoration of the damage to the habitat caused by the release of the AIS.
Permits can be applied for in each of the nine provinces, at designated offices or through the national office for AIS species. If you would like more information on this issue, please contact the EWT, for attention Obeid Katumba.
This campaign is made possible through the generous support of the Lewis Foundation.
Addressing the impacts of power lines on Grey Crowned Cranes in Lwengo
Gilbert Tayebwa (Southcentral Uganda field officer and Sarah Kugonza (Conservation Intern)
Introduction
Any bird able to fly stands a chance of colliding with above-ground power lines and being killed or electrocuted when perching or nesting on electricity structures and cables. In Lwengo and possibly other regions of Uganda, power lines pose the greatest threat to the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane’s survival. Migrating birds at night, birds flying in groups, and fast-flying and large birds like storks and raptors are particularly vulnerable to power line collisions. Electrocution from power lines has also been reported.
Grey Crowned Crane mortality beneath a power line in Lwengo, Uganda
The percentage contribution of incidents by various electricity power line categories. The International Crane Foundation (ICF) and Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) Partnership’s African Crane Conservation Programme aims to find and implement preventative solutions to lessen the damage power lines have on cranes, other birds, and their surrounding ecosystems. In Lwengo, more than 21 cranes have died after flying into and perching on power wires over one year. Grey Crowned Cranes are the only crane species affected by electrocution because it is the only crane that perches and roosts in trees and on power line infrastructure. Some of these cranes are electrocuted or shocked, and as a result of the accident, they perish. To better understand the impacts of human-caused mortality on cranes in south-central Uganda, we are implementing a project to understand how power lines and associated infrastructure affects biodiversity in Lwengo. We are using various methods, including:
Mapping the distribution pattern of Grey Crowned Crane incidents caused by power line infrastructure (key emphasis and activities have been on mapping incidents and identifying incident hotspots)
Establishing transects for routine monitoring
Empowering key stakeholders (especially Crane Custodians, wetland management committees, and local government leaders to identify, handle, and ethically address crane-power line incidents.
Capacity Building
Crane Custodians are local community members who voluntarily care for cranes and their wetland habitats. Currently, the ACCP in southcentral Uganda has 15 custodians in Lwengo (eight females and seven males) and 15 in Rukiga who have been vetted for engagement in power line surveys. The selection was based on gender inclusiveness.
The custodians being taught how to collect data during power line surveys.
A crane custodian, after identifying an incident and recording it
Community engagement
Meetings and hands-on-field works are being held with other stakeholders, such as the communities that live in crane power line incident hotspots, to identify incidents, disseminate information on the presence of power line threats to cranes and other birds surveying critical hotspots for power line collisions. The project team has trained the groups on various aspects, such as:
The different ways to handle power line incident mortalities
How to report power line mortalities (currently, the project team, crane custodians, and nearby authorities are responsible for responding)
Power line incident identification (differentiating between a power line collision and electrocution and elaborating on the cause of the incident)
Adherence to safety guidelines when monitoring and handling power line-related mortalities.
Community members during a field-based powerline survey in Lwengo
Most of the communities engaged are helping to disseminate information to other local communities on how and when to report power line incidents. The trainees can now spread information about the possibility of zoonotic diseases spreading to people who handle dead wildlife, such as cranes below power lines, and mobilise community members to report power line-related incidents involving cranes.
Capacity building within the project team
In June 2022, the Uganda team received one week of skills-building and enhancement sessions (in-house and field-based training). The team engaged in planning and developing powerline incidents data collection protocols and the setup of scientifically robust methods in crane mortality incidents data collection, including developing a risk assessment tool.
The EWT’s Christie Craig from South Africa training the Uganda team in Power lines
Hot on the heels of strong women working in conservation
Precious Malapane, Conservation K9 handler and anti-poaching ranger
The South African government’s theme in celebration of Women’s Day/month 2022 is “Women’s Socio-Economic Rights and Empowerment: Building Back Better for Women’s Improved Resilience”. The theme focused on strategically advancing women’s socio-economic empowerment agenda towards achieving gender equality by 2030.
Precious and EWT Conservation K9 Ruger
The resilience of South African women has been recognised throughout our country’s history but assigned social and professional roles have often hindered women from raising their social and economic status. I am one of many women who have not let anything stand in their way. My name is Precious and I am a Conservation K9 Handler working with Ruger and Bekha, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Conservation K9s and strong females themselves. I am the only woman in a team of 12 rangers. I am also the only Dog Handler in the team. You might be wondering how I ended up here. This is my tale.
I grew up in a remote village off the north-eastern border of the Kruger National Park border. I was a very quiet and rather shy child. I came out of my shell when I joined a girl’s traditional dancing group at age ten, where I learned to be confident and comfortable in my skin. Attending practice every day and dancing in front of people helped me build my confidence.
I sadly lost my mother when I was just two years shy of matriculating. She was our only parent, and when we lost her, my three siblings and I started doing odd jobs around the village to survive. However, we did not let our situation get in the way of our education. I matriculated in 2014 and enrolled in the Southern African Wildlife College, where I trained as a field ranger. I was lucky enough to get an internship in the college’s K9 unit. I started working with Conservation K9s under the guidance of renowned Dog Master – Johan van Straaten, from whom I learned much. I know everything I know today because of his teachings.
My love for dogs began at a very young age when my family got one as a pet. I knew then how great dogs are. I didn’t know that they could do so much!
Precious with EWT Conservation K9 Bekah
I love working with dogs because they are always eager to go out and work. With them, there is no politics, social roles, or discrimination. I am just their beloved handler and trainer. I also love how they are not biased or easily swayed by external forces. Their job is to help their handler find what they are looking for, and they will not stop until they find it. And when they do, they will not leave it until the handler arrives. They have taught me to be honest and dedicated in my work.
Although I am mostly surrounded by men in my line of work, I have been fortunate to know and learn from strong women who have shaped my life and career. They have empowered me and improved my resilience both socially and economically. These are some of them:
My mother: That woman is my hero, my pillar and strength, even now in her absence. She played a huge role and did a great job as a single parent. I really love how she raised me and my siblings. I am where I am today because of her.
Theresa Sowry: The CEO of the Southern African Wildlife College. I love how involved she is on every level. You can tell she is passionate about conservation from her interaction with all students and the team at the college.
Shadi Henrico: Shadi is the Conservation Canine Project Coordinator at the Endangered Wildlife Trust. She assisted me in qualifying as a Dog Handler and trained Ruger – the dog I work with at the reserve. She also shared with me this great life I get to live now because of her willingness to help me whenever I reach out to her.
Anitjie Mkhansi: She is also a Conservation Canine handler at another private reserve. I always go to her when I face work-related challenges, and she is always keen to sit down with me and come up with solutions. Navigating work and inspiring each other as young women of the same age and in the same field makes everything easier.
Having come across all these amazing women, and in celebration of women’s month in South Africa, I encourage other women and young girls to pursue careers in conservation and dog handling because why not?
I personally believe that, as women, we can do anything we put our minds to. We are all human, after all.
With all that being said, I hope we find ways to continue liberating women from cycles of poverty and assigned social roles and giving them the resources to improve their social and economic opportunities.
We will play out of this with my favourite song – Master KG’s I am a superstar.
Keep your eyes on the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s Wild Diaries for my and Ruger’s tracking adventures.
Climate change has manifested in erratic weather patterns and significantly prolonged drought seasons in Southcentral Uganda. The drought hit the Lwengo region in one of Uganda’s cattle corridors particularly hard. Farmers in Lwengo have suffered serious losses over the dry season; their crops dried up and withered over the harvest period. Maise, beans, peas, and other cash crops have also done poorly during the dry planting season. The water sources in most villages and part of the Kiyanja-Kaku wetland (a precious wetland conserved by the ICF/EWT projects) have dried up, and animals and households no longer have enough water to drink and use for domestic purposes. The dry season also affected irrigation projects, rendering irrigation impossible at the household level and reduced food security and the general well-being of the communities. The Kiyanja-Kaku wetland and its catchment also provide breeding and flocking habitat for the Endangered Grey Crowned Crane – one of Uganda’s iconic wetland species.
Unfortunately, cranes are eating more of the crops due to shortages in natural food sources, feeding on germinating seedlings and mature crops, eating all the corn, and leaving empty combs. The most affected crops in the area included maize, beans, and ground nuts. On top of the drought and deflating market prices, this has caused significant losses to the farmers, and they have resorted to poisoning cranes – 118 poisoned to date this season.
What are we doing to help communities weather the storm?
The ICF/EWT’s crane and wetlands conservation project supports some communities in establishing crane deterrent measures in various homesteads to address food insecurity caused by cranes and climate change. The measures range from the erection of human-mimicking scarecrows to the use of reflective materials, usually from non-recyclable waste products, around the crops. The measures have proven successful as there have since been no crane sightings in these areas, and crop damage has reduced to some extent.
Next steps
Since the project has established an integrated approach of deterrent measures, effectively preventing cranes from damaging crops, we need to upscale the deterrent measures and extend the approach to all affected villages. This way, we will keep crops and cranes safe. The project continues to engage farmers in establishing interventions that can also address the impacts of climate change on food security.
Integrated Farming the missing piece for communal farmers
Samson Phakathi, the EWT’s African Crane Conservation Programme Senior Community Project Officer, Samsonp@ewt.org.za
Integrated farming promotes the responsible use of natural resources and farming practices that use fewer external resources, making farming more sustainable. The concept is particularly well suited to communal land where land degradation and the resultant soil erosion and spread of encroaching plant species tend to be quite prevalent. Moreover, it is becoming evident that there is often an imbalance between livestock ratios and the availability of food and water for the animals in these landscapes. The Integrated Farm Planning (IFP) training thus came at a time when most of the community farmers desperately needed assistance to improve their management practices.
Through the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) funding, the Endangered Wildlife Trust engaged with 35 emerging farmers from the Cedarville area in the Eastern Cape. Our goal was to assist them with implementing integrated farm planning (IFP) by hosting a training day in the field that we published an article on in May 2022.
Through the National Lotteries Commission (NLC) funding, the Endangered Wildlife Trust hosted 35 emerging farmers from the Cedarville area to to discuss integrated farm planning (IFP)
The emerging farmers were carefully selected from areas within hotspots of the distribution of the three threatened crane species. These areas contain wetlands and grasslands required for the Endangered Grey Crowned Cranes, Critically Endangered Wattled Cranes, and Near Threatened Blue Cranes. Unfortunately, these habitats are highly threatened by poor rangeland management. The IFP training was designed to upskill emerging farmers to identify management-related challenges in areas where they graze their livestock. The farmers then formulate practical solutions, incorporating local knowledge and capacity to address issues. The IFP training was eye-opening to emerging farmers, who now appreciate that rangeland management is key to the sustainability of communal lands in terms of grazing, water conservation, and community livelihoods. The training emphasized the importance of species diversity in grazing lands and the need to conserve species through improved grazing management.
Emerging famers from Cedarville on an Integrated Farm Planning trip visit to learn from the Black Diamond Community in the Ukhahlamba Mountain Range
After successfully organizing and facilitating the well-attended IFP and sustainable grazing management training, the EWT arranged for a community exchange visit for the Cedarville emerging farmers to the Black Diamond Community situated in the Ukhahlamba mountain range. The Black Diamond community is quite progressive regarding practical rangeland management initiatives. The exchange visit was thus key as it allowed the Cedarville emerging farmers to interact with the Black Diamond community and draw lessons on what can be duplicated, adopted, or adapted to the Cedarville context.
The exchange visit ran from 18–19 April 2022, with over 70 people attending. The Cedarville and Black Diamond communities’ engagements and discussions were quite constructive. What stood out was the ability of the Cedarville emerging farmers to interpret the Black Diamond grazing camps using the IFP training concept, showing that the messaging resonated with the emerging farmers. More emphasis was also placed on encouraging the Cedarville emerging farmers to look at their available local capacity and resources as they improve their rangeland management. This is important, especially if self-sustaining communities with local knowledge and capacity can encourage others to address these issues. The exchange visit was also attended by key stakeholders, including a government department, another NGO, the ward councillor, and a local King.
From the project initiation phase, where robust engagements about the community’s vision for their land and how IFP can complement their activities, to the actual training session and the community exchange visit, we observed the communities taking the lead in identifying local issues, formulating intervention measures, mobilizing resources and capacity, and implementing solutions. The IFP training seemed to be the missing piece, providing the solutions for farmers to succeed, especially in highly strained communal lands in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. This paradigm shift to grazing management in communities can only benefit species diversity, livestock, and, more importantly, the stability of soils, vegetation, and the resultant positive spin-offs in the form of community livelihoods.
This training was made possible with funds from the National Lotteries Commission. The NLC relies on funds from the proceeds of the National Lottery. The Lotteries Act and regulations guide the way in which NLC funding may be allocated. The NLC wants the grants to make a difference in the lives of all South Africans, especially those more vulnerable, and to improve the sustainability of the beneficiary organizations. Available funds are distributed to registered and qualifying non-profit organizations in the fields of charities; arts, culture, and national heritage; and sport and recreation. By placing its emphasis on areas of greatest need and potential, the NLC contributes to South Africa’s development.
The world’s road networks are highly disturbed and fragmented areas that negatively affect many animals. Wildlife-vehicle collisions are one of the more visible effects of road, estimated to be the second-largest cause of human-related deaths in animals. One of the by-products of the Covid-19 pandemic was much lower levels of human activity related to lockdowns enforced in many countries to reduce the spread of the disease. This decrease in human activity has been named the “anthropause”, which was at its peak in April 2020. With the anthropause came a large decrease in vehicle traffic. The impact of the anthropause, particularly of decreased traffic, on species, was examined in a recent publication co-authored by EWT scientists*. With worldwide travel restrictions in full effect from April 2020, vehicle use dropped by over 50% in many countries. During this same period, scientists found a significant drop in wildlife-vehicle collisions, with as much as a 48% reduction recorded in some countries. The absence of traffic also likely brought about behavioural changes in wildlife and could have had various other ecological effects not yet documented. Some possible changes include animals being able to move more freely between fragmented landscape patches, increases in survival and population sizes, and less spreading of invasive species along roads (see figure below, from Perkins et al. 2022, which illustrates some of the possible impacts of a reduction in traffic).
Traffic noise was another aspect reviewed in this study. Researchers found that animals were less fearful with reduced traffic noise over the lockdown period. Furthermore, they noted that there were localised changes in animal distributions. For example, large animals were spotted moving through urban areas. The lowered volume of traffic noise also resulted in some birds changing their tune. For example, urban birds have been observed to alter the frequency of their song as they no longer had to compete with traffic noise. While lockdowns provided temporary relief, allowing wildlife to thrive again, human activity is recovering to pre-pandemic levels. This brief pause has allowed us to gain new insights into the impact of traffic on wildlife. The return of traffic highlights the need to have proper surveillance measures in place to help document, explain, and reduce the effects of roads on wildlife and critically evaluate the impacts of this widespread human activity on wildlife. *Perkins, S. E., Shilling, F., & Collinson, W. (2022). Anthropause opportunities: Experimental perturbation of road traffic and the potential effects on wildlife. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 192.**The EWT has a road watch app for you to record any roadkill sightings, helping us to identify hotspot areas and the species most at risk. Search for Road Watch on the Google Play Store to download the app!
The percentage contribution of incidents by various electricity power line categories. The
