South Africa Identifies Co-Operation With Hong Kong and Other Parties As Central

to Addressing the On-Going Killing of Rhino At International Level

8 August 2012
Press Release

A high level South African delegation visiting Hong Kong have identified information exchange, awareness and education, enforcement and technology-sharing with authorities there as central to efforts aimed at addressing wildlife crime, especially the on-going scourge of rhino poaching in South Africa.

The delegation, comprising high-level representatives from the Department of Environmental Affairs and law enforcement authorities, today ended two-day talks with the Hong Kong authorities, non-governmental organisations and the Hong Kong media as part of South Africa's efforts to foster co-operation at bilateral and multilateral levels to thwart the on-going scourge of rhino poaching.

The Hong Kong engagement follows the seizure late last year of rhino horns and worked elephant ivory by customs officials there. South Africa aims to send a team of experts to collect DNA samples from the seized rhino horn in a month's time. The collection of DNA samples will aid in establishing the origin of the rhino horns and lead to possible prosecutions.

The collection of the samples is however dependent on the signing of the Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Maters between the South African and the government of Hong Kong...

Source: South Africa Identifies Co-Operation With Hong Kong and Other Parties As Central ...
Author: South African Government (Pretoria)

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