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Plant poaching: An underestimated threat to biodiversity

By Esther Matthew

Roadblocks for illegally traded wildlife products

Succulent poaching has shown a marked increase in South Africa in recent years. Many of these plants will literally bring you to your knees due to their tiny size. But, once you see the details on them, you are immediately transported to world that many people often walk over without noticing.

Unfortunately, poachers have taken note of this, which has resulted in an incredible increase in the illegal harvesting of these unique plants over the last five years, with approximately half a million plants poached in a year. This is a significant problem, with some plant species already pushed to extinction in the wild.

For the EWT Conservation Canine Unit and the Drylands Conservation Programme the solution to most conservation problems is getting nosy, and with that we mean using scent detection dogs to assist us in our conservation work, and in sniffing out any plants being smuggled. Dogs have an remarkable scent ability and are able even find a drop of odour in a waterbody the size two Olympic swimming pools! Keeping that in mind, our two programmes teamed up in 2023 and to train the first three scent detection dogs to help combat the succulent plant poaching problem. In joint operations, our efforts were aimed at screening vehicles at roadblocks and parcels at courier companies. In the first 2 months of working with these dogs we were able to assist the local law enforcement officials supported with four cases, resulting in nine arrests. So, it turns out being nosy is not always a bad thing, and it can even help save our endemic plants.

Thanks to the Dertour Foundation, Endangered Ink and Tourvest, we can continue the work with our dogs to help combat the poaching problem for not only plants but also a variety of other wildlife contraband

Roadblock with Police

EWT TORTOISE CONSERVATION CANINES – NOSY FOR NATURE

By: Esther Matthew – Specialist Officer | Drylands Conservation Programme

Chelonians includes all tortoise, turtle, and terrapin species. For the purposes of this article, we will use the term “tortoises”.

South Africa is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world and is home to no less than two of the world’s most well-known botanical “biodiversity hotspots”, the Succulent Karoo and Fynbos Biomes. However, few people are aware that South Africa also holds the title as the tortoise capital of the world. South Africa is home to no less than 13 tortoise species, most of which are endemic to the country.

The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), in partnership with the Turtle Conservancy (TC) launched tortoise conservation research projects over the last two years to locate viable populations and implement conservation action for three of South Africa’s most Endangered tortoises in the dryland areas of South Africa, including the Karoo, which is home to nine of the 13 tortoise species found in South Africa.

There are five species of dwarf tortoise globally, four of which occur in the South African Karoo and one in Namibia. As their name implies, dwarf tortoises rank amongst the smallest of the tortoise species. South Africa also has one Critically Endangered tortoise species, called the Geometric Tortoise. Unfortunately, over the last 20 years researchers have started to notice an alarming decline in population numbers for all of three of the country’s Endangered tortoise species. This significant impact can be attributed to factors like habitat loss, poaching, and crow predation that has been specifically being observed.

Certainly, the human teams have struggled to find a single viable population of both the Karoo and the Speckled Dwarf Tortoise over the last two years of extensive surveys. More than 20 surveys have yielded depressingly few live animals, and in most cases only shell fragments are to be found. All these species are elusive and well camouflaged, making it difficult for even the well-trained eye to spot. As such, it has been vital for us to look at other survey methods, such as using scent detection dogs.

The EWT’s Drylands Conservation Programme, therefore, started training scent detection dogs to assist with tortoise fieldwork projects. Two Border collies, Delta and Dash, have been assisting our team in the field to help locate tortoises with a little guidance from their handler Esther Matthew. Delta has been contributing to this research for the last two years, while Dash only recently started helping after passing his certification. The dogs have helped increase the number of finds, with Delta almost setting a record of six tortoises found in 50 minutes for one of the species. The detection dogs make our search efforts a lot more efficient as we are able to move faster and find hidden tortoises we would likely have missed. Their assistance in the field contributes to data collection for species distribution mapping and monitoring the survival of species in the wild. We can’t wait to see how their “nose work” will continue to benefit the conservation of these unique tortoise species.

The EWT tortoise conservation work is supported by Turtle Conservancy, Dwarf Tortoise Conservation, Rainforest Trust and the IUCN NL. A special word of thanks to Ford Wildlife Foundation for the vehicles that safely gets our staff and working dogs to the remote locations across the Western- and Northern Cape, where we conduct our vital tortoise surveys.

Please note, that landowner permission and valid permits from relevant conservation authorities in each province are always required for the use of conservation detection dogs. Additionally, all tortoises are protected species and listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) as well as provincial legislation such as the CapeNature Conservation Ordinance of 1974 and National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004. As such, it is illegal to collect any tortoise species in South Africa, and they may not be kept as pets without a permit. However, please report sightings of these rare species to us at ewt@ewt.org.za.

EWT Exploring Peru

Esther Matthew, the EWT’s Senior Specialist Conservation Officer, became a National Geographic Society Explorer in 2018 for her work with a scent detection dog to help conserve the Critically Endangered Riverine Rabbit. A few months ago, Esther was selected as one of three explorers to serve as a hub coordinator for the Southern Africa Hub. The hub includes all explorers form South Africa, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.

As part of her new role, she received the incredible opportunity to attend a hub coordinator training workshop and Explorer Festival in Lima, Peru! Esther expressed her excitement, saying, “It was an amazing opportunity and experience I will never forget!”. This marked her first visit to South America and her attendance at an international Nat Geo Explorer Festival. The festival showcased the remarkable National Geographic explorer project in the Amazon, along with many other fascinating topics. Esther represented EWT and the Southern Africa hub at the event, where she met many explorers from around the world. She returned with more knowledge about coordinating groups and established many valuable networking contacts.
The EWT is proud to have three National Geographic Explorers on our staff. Alongside Esther, the other two explorers are Kulani Nyakane, Field Officer of our Carnivore Conservation Programme and Dr Gareth Tate, Programme Manager of the EWT’s Birds of Prey Programme.

Conservation Canines Help to Combat Rhino Poaching

On 22 September, the Endangered Wildlife Trust’s joined countries around the world to mark World Rhino Day.

The Day has become synonymous with the plight of the white and black rhino as poachers decimated populations of this iconic member of the Big Five in the past 15 years.

It is during this onslaught that the EWT again sprang into action to save the pachyderms from extinction by founding and deploying our canine conservation unit to not only detect smuggled rhino horn, but also to track poachers within conservation areas.

World Rhino Day is marked annually to raise awareness of about the plight of the species, which has faced a poaching onslaught for more than a decade. South Africa is home to an estimated 79% of the world’s rhino population, of which approximately 2,056 black rhino and 12,968 white rhino are privately-owned. Since 2008, over 8,000 rhinos have been poached the country.
South Africa’s black rhino are listed as Critically Endangered and the white rhino as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Their biggest threat is the illegal wildlife trade.

The EWT’s Canine Conservation Unit (CCU) is a special project established to support the conservation efforts of the EWT through scent detection and tracking dog services. Our Conservation K9s are certified and specially trained to fulfil two critical roles. Firstly, to support anti-poaching initiatives in game reserves using tracking and detection dogs, and secondly, to detect wildlife contraband before it is smuggled out of the country.

Anti-poaching dogs are trained to track people, locate snares, find arms and ammunition, and help with the detection of spent cartridges at crime scenes. Our detection dogs are capable of detecting various plant and animal samples as well as poisons and thus have a wide range of possible conservation applications. We are continuously exploring new applications for our conservation canines to ensure that the EWT is recognised as an industry leader in the field of working dogs.

Our work began with the deployment of Rico, a Belgian Malinois and wildlife sniffer dog, at the O R Tambo International Airport’s baggage and car sections in 2012. This new member of the EWT pack was deployed to sniff ou rhino horn, ivory, abalone and other wildlife products.

The EWT’s Canine members have been deployed successfully in reserves across the country since…

The North West Province is a stronghold for Black and White Rhino conservation during these difficult days of declining national populations. With the support of funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we are assisting the provincial authorities to prevent poaching and grow their rhino populations for the species’ long-term survival.

Besides the use of cutting-edge technology to track rhinos remotely, and the use of real-time camera technology to strengthen surveillance of roads, fence lines and reserve areas to aid in the detection of poacher incursions, a key contribution is that of the EWTs conservation canine and handler team in the Pilanesberg Game Reserve to detect wildlife contraband and to track poachers.

Our conservation canines are stationed at reserve gates, screening vehicles for illegal wildlife products like ivory, rhino horn, pangolin scales, and ammunition. Since 2012, the EWT’s Conservation Canine unit has been a vital part of wildlife protection in reserves across South Africa. Focused on preventing illegal firearms from entering protected areas, our dogs have also been instrumental in stopping wildlife crime. Our canines have frequently been used to locate illegal arms and ammunitions and this year alone, one of our conservation canines flagged a suspicious vehicle, leading to the discovery of hidden rifles and the successful arrest of the suspects.

The Conservation Canine Unit team will assist Pilanesberg management until the end of September 2025. Having our scent detection dog, Kisha, at the gate will deter and prevent poachers from bringing weapons into the conservation area, and transporting illegal wildlife products out of the reserve if they have succeeded in poaching an animal. Weekends are very busy and the team search up to 60 vehicles in a day.

Tracking dog, Ruger, is specifically used to patrol fences and follow tracks of poachers when reserve boundaries have been breached. A key role for Ruger is to assist anti-poaching security to determine entry and exit points and routes taken by poachers, which is critical in guiding optimal placement of field rangers.

While the EWT is assisting Pilanesberg with a range of other anti-poaching activities, detection and tracking dogs are considered a crucial part of the anti-poaching arsenal to keep Rhinos and other wildlife safe.

In the nearby Madikwe Nature Reserve, the EWT has provided cutting-edge night vision scopes to the two canine teams, giving them a massive strategic advantage during anti-poaching patrols. We have also funded the installation of additional License Plate Recognition cameras at prominent intersections around the reserve. Any vehicles passing through these intersections with previous criminal ties will be flagged, with notifications sent to local law enforcement, as well as the North West Parks Board anti-poaching operations centre housed at Madikwe.

Combatting rhino poaching requires a coordinated, multi-pronged approach, the cost of which can be prohibitive in some situations. We are confident that our support to the North West Parks Board is having a tangible conservation impact, echoed by the reduction in reported poaching incidents in the province.

Collaborative Action to Address South Africa’s Snaring Crisis

The EWT pledges less talk and more action to address South Africa’s snaring crisis at the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium

140 delegates attended the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium

Twenty-two speakers presented at the Snare Mitigtation Symposium

One of the Snare Mitigation Symposium panel discussions

WARNING: SENSITIVE IMAGES BELOW

The importance of less talk and more action to address the snaring crisis in South Africa is key to the conservation of all species.

This, and the need for greater collaboration and partnerships to address the negative impacts from the illegal snaring of wildlife, were among the outcomes of the inaugural two-day national Snare Mitigation Symposium in Pretoria.

The meeting of 140 delegates delved into the impacts, drivers and solutions to this increasing threat to wildlife and the economy. Co-led by the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), the Cape Leopard Trust (CLT), the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) and South African National Parks (SANParks), the inaugural Snare Mitigation Symposium was held at Environment House on 10 and 11 September 2024.

It brought together leading experts in wildlife crime, government officials and representatives of numerous stakeholders across the sector to examine the multifaceted aspects of the snaring crisis. The purpose was to understand existing and potential new complexities, and to share experiences and knowledge to reduce the problem both inside and outside conservation areas, in order to identify and co-create workable solutions for the benefit of people and the environment.

Snaring is motivated by complex socio-economic and cultural drivers and the symposium explored snaring from a myriad of angles and viewpoints. Information gained highlighted that animals are snared largely for personal or commercial use and is occurring at unsustainable rates across all provinces and in diverse landscapes. Sadly, many species including leopard, lion, hyena and other predators are killed as by-catch in snares originally set for bushmeat.

A key insight from the symposium is that we need more community interaction amongst stakeholders towards achieving positive outcomes for this threat to wildlife. Communities living with wildlife, and those linked to snaring, need to form an integral of the solutions being proposed, and to be undertaken, to address snaring.

No solution will be credible without the involvement of the relevant community voices in co-development of solutions. Solutions need to be diverse, purposely inclusive and tailored to, and by, the people living in the affected areas. Technological advances were showcased to improve snare detection and data collection.

Among the legal solutions highlighted by Ashleigh Dore, the EWT’s Wildlife and Law Project Manager, the need for legal reform to ensure laws applicable to snaring are the same across the country. Ashleigh also introduced a restorative justice approach to respond to snaring. Restorative justice is a holistic, inclusive and problem solving approach to justice that involves all parties involved in or impacted by the crime to (1) identify and respond to harm from the crime and (2) prevent reoffence.

Senior Conservation Manager Lourens Leeuwner, during his presentation on the threats of snaring countrywide, highlighted the results of the EWT’s recent project and proof of concept to determine whether anti-poaching dogs could be used for snare detection. The Canine Conservation Unit had spent several days testing techniques to detect snares in a farming and conservation area in Limpopo. Using two EWT anti-poaching canines, Ruger and Kisha, the team set snares in the veld before sending out rangers to find the items. While rangers only found some of the snares placed for the test, the canines had, in all cases, successfully tracked the scent of the person who had planted the snares and other items, finding most of the snares. As further proof that this technique works, the dogs were taken on a routine patrol of a farm that has problems with poachers using snares to catch wildlife. During this patrol, Ruger discovered a snare that had been planted by a real-life poacher. While there is a lot more work that needs to be done, this is proof that the concept works – an extra tool in the arsenal to combat poaching.

Among the key decisions adopted as outcomes included further research on the drivers and alternative livelihood solutions, more cohesive legislation to address snaring and other wildlife crimes, more centralised reporting and monitoring to ascertain the extent of the problem, and creating a greater understanding of the impact of snaring not only on biodiversity, but also on the economy and well-being of communities.

At a workshop following the event, the host organisations strategised next steps related to key themes and action points identified during the symposium that will include a wide range of stakeholders. Looking to the future, greater teamwork and communication between State, private sector and civil society will be cultivated to find sustainable long-term solutions for both people and wildlife.