1 Feb
Trophy Hunting from Behind Bars Where Have All the Rhinos Gone Report is a South African retrospective research report which was published in 2021. The Report is a compilation of, and expansion on, the work previously carried out by researchers and investigative journalists over the past two decades. This time period will forever be marked […]
READ MORE13 Dec
EMS FOUNDATION SUBMISSION ON THE NON-DETRIMENT FINDINGS FOR CERTAIN LISTED SPECIES IN TERMS OF CITES PUBLISHED IN GOVERNMENT GAZETTE NO.51397 OF 15TH OCTOBER 2024 READ FULL SUBMISSION: “These comments are fully endorsed by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa(WAPFSA), a coalition of thirty diverse South African-based organisations united by shared values and objectives. […]
READ MORE13 Dec
Objections from the EMS Foundation | Annual Export Quotas For Elephant, Black Rhinos and Leopard Hunting Trophies, 2024/2025 READ THE FULL SUBMISSION: Excerpts from the EMS Foundation Submission delivered to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment on Friday 13th December 2024: “We hope that our comments will be constructively considered. We request that […]
READ MORE13 Dec
A CHRISTMAS LETTER FROM THE EMS FOUNDATION “As you are well-aware, the EMS Foundation is a registered trust, a registered non-profit organization and a public benefit organization. Our mission is the advancement and protection of the rights and generalwelfare of wild animals, children, elderly persons and other vulnerable groups in South Africa and Africa for the purpose of alleviating suffering, disrupting inequality in all of its forms, raising public […]
READ MORE3 Nov
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
READ MORE3 Nov
Is Stellenbosch University Adopting a Dangerous One-Sided Approach to Wildlife Conservation? “In a letter addressed to the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University, as well as to the Minister of the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), a collaborative group of wildlife NGOs, the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum of South Africa (WAPFSA), have cautioned that Stellenbosch […]
READ MORE16 Sep
TOWARDS FREEDOM JOHANNESBURG ZOO ELEPHANTS IN CASE NO: 32881/2022 EMS FOUNDATION CALLING ON INTERESTED PARTIES TO BE ADMITTED AS AMICUS CURIAE On the 16th September 2024, in the application of Animal Law Reform, the EMS Foundation, Chief Stephen Fritz and the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, MEC: Economic Development, Agriculture, […]
READ MORE16 Sep
TOWARDS FREEDOM JOHANNESBURG ZOO ELEPHANTS, THE EMS FOUNDATION AND OTHERS PROVIDE RULE A 16A NOTICE TO THE REGISTRAR IN CASE NO:32881/2022 On the 16th September 2024, in the application of Animal Law Reform, the EMS Foundation, Chief Stephen Fritz and the Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo, the City of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipality, MEC: Economic Development, Agriculture, […]
READ MORE19 Aug
OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE ZOO ELEPHANT CHARLIE: FREE, FREE AT LAST! Thirty years after democracy, the last elephant in South Africa’s only national zoo has been freed. After a nail-biting 4 hour trip towards freedom, the EMS Foundation is thrilled to announce that Elephant Charlie has arrived at his new home at the Shambala Private Reserve […]
READ MORE29 Jul
OFFICIAL MEDIA RELEASE: PRETORIA’S CHARLEY THE ELEPHANT PREPARES FOR NEW BEGINNING Pretoria’s Charley the Elephant Prepares for A New Beginning [Tshwane, Pretoria: 29 July 2024]: The South African government agreed to pursue options for the retirement of African Elephant Charley from the National Zoological Garden in Pretoria to a suitable wildlife sanctuary or similar setting. On […]
READ MORE26 Jul
COMMENTS ON DRAFT NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY BILL 2024 The comments are submitted jointly by the EMS Foundation and by the Wild Law Institute We strongly support the enactment of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Bill (“the Bill”) but believe that the Bill requires strengthening in several important respects in order to enable it to […]
READ MORE9 Jul
WE REACH OUR HANDS IN FRIENDSHIP AND DIGNITY We reach out our hands in friendship and dignity, treating all people with respect, compassion and empathy, supporting their independence and acknowledging their unique needs, preferences and characteristics. The EMS Foundation assists the schools we support through holistic interventions for sustainable futures. One such action is the […]
READ MORE8 Jul
REBECCA MOSIMA -HUMANS WHO GROW FOOD Gender-responsive agroecology that benefits women small-scale producers, supports food security and protects biodiversity and ecosystems is fundamental to the provision of vegetables and cruelty free food at the schools the EMS Foundation supports. Mrs Rebecca Mosima lovingly tends the EMS Foundation sponsored growzone at the EA Davidson Primary School in […]
READ MORE31 May
LETTER OF DEMAND: USE OF INHUMANE BABOON MANAGEMENT METHODS IN PRINGLE BAY Cullinan and Associates, lawyers acting for the EMS Foundation, sent an urgent letter of demand to the Overstrand Municipality on the 31s May 2024. The EMS Foundation formally objected to the Overstrand Municipality’s Baboon Management Plan for Pringle Bay, which was published by […]
READ MORE16 Apr
THE EMS FOUNDATION AND THE BIODIVERSITY LAW CENTRE COMMENT ON THE REVIEWED SOUTH AFRICAN NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY ECONOMY STRATEGY This comment is submitted by the BLC and EMS Foundation in response to the draft National Biodiversity Economy Strategy published under Government Notice 4492 in Government Gazette 50279 of 8 March 2024 (NBES). We hope that our comments will […]
READ MORE28 Feb
Rather than banking on the extinction of rhinos, South Africa must embrace rhino horn stockpile destruction as an anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, and demand reduction tool to meaningfully contribute to the ethical protection of rhino populations in Africa and Asia and to mitigate their extinction. Doing so will send a strong signal that South Africa is firmly committed to preserving and protecting rhinos, and to truly ensuring their welfare and well-being. By virtue of the precautionary approach, South Africa, and other CITES States Parties must act in the best interest of the conservation of the species and urgently uplist rhinos currently on Appendix II to Appendix I.
READ MORE27 Feb
Rather than banking on the extinction of rhinos, South Africa must embrace rhino horn stockpile destruction as an anti-poaching, anti-trafficking, and demand reduction tool to meaningfully contribute to the ethical protection of rhino populations in Africa and Asia and to mitigate their extinction. Doing so will send a strong signal that South Africa is firmly committed to preserving and protecting rhinos, and to truly ensuring their welfare and well-being. By virtue of the precautionary approach, South Africa, and other CITES States Parties must act in the best interest of the conservation of the species and urgently uplist rhinos currently on Appendix II to Appendix I.
READ MORE12 Dec
WHO ARE THE MONSTERS? THE ILL ADVISED ATTEMPT TO CREATE FEAR AND LOATHING IN THE VILLAGE OF PRINGLE BAY A Written Response to a Document Published by a Pringle Bay Resident on Facebook DOWNLOAD TO READ THE DOCUMENT PUBLISHED ON SOCIAL MEDIA: THE OFFICIAL RESPONSE FROM THE EMS FOUNDATION: Introduction The primary purpose of Not […]
READ MORE25 Nov
On Saturday 25th of November 2023 Elizabeth Steyn the patron of the EMS Foundation officially handed over a new building to the boxers of Overstrand Whale Boxing Club at the opening event held in Hermanus in the Western Cape of South Africa. Almost exactly a year in November 2022 the final plans were discussed in Hermanus, the architects who share the responsibility for the design of the building are Nicola du Pisanie from Stonewood Design in the United Kingdom and Simon Pfotenhauer from Stage 5 Architects in South Africa. In March 2023 Elizabeth Steyn returned to Hermanus to break ground on the proposed site at the Hermanus Waldorf School with Mzi Damesi, the founder and head coach of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club. On the 28th of March 2023 the heavy duty equipment arrived on site to begin excavation in order to start laying the foundations and the construction of the new OWBC commenced.
READ MORE17 Nov
COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT POLICY POSITION OF THE CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE USE OF ELEPHANT, LION, LEOPARD AND RHINOCEROS 17 November 2023 The EMS Foundation and the Wild Law Institute delivered their submission to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 2. While we acknowledge the merits of many policy interventions, we wish […]
READ MORE19 Oct
The world is on the tipping point of climate catastrophe. The Western Cape is particularly susceptible to climate shocks and the ever-worsening climate crisis. It is crucial, therefore, that the primary role of conservation must be to ensure that the ecological systems and processes which are essential to life in all its forms and to sustaining and enhancing the wellbeing of humans and other forms of life, are respected, protected and where necessary, restored.
READ MORE15 Sep
Presently the Overstrand Municipality, unconstitutionally and stubbornly refuses to meet with representatives from the Pringle Bay or Betty's Bay community or the volunteers and civil society entities who are working altruistically and tirelessly to assist this villages. Instead, the Overstrand Municipality has chosen to rely upon outdated questionable data from HWS and the few residents who want baboons eradicated from the conservancy. Due to the enormous amount of money that was spent on the services of Human Wildlife Solutions baboon management in the Overstrand Municipality, the EMS Foundation has taken the firm position that an independent oversight authority needs to be consulted one with an independent legal mandate to investigate the merits of the call for a 106 forensic investigation.
READ MORE21 Mar
The EMS Foundation broke ground at the Hermanus Waldorf School on the 18th of March 2023 for the construction new premises of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club. Coach and Founder of the well known club, which has produced national champions, is delighted as are the many boxers who attend the club.
READ MORE3 Mar
Cullinan and Associates, environmental lawyers acting on behalf of the EMS Foundation have sent an urgent letter to the Overstrand Municipality, the Baboon Management Joint Task Team, Cape Nature Overberg and Human Wildlife Solutions with regard to their decision to move the baboon troops from Pringle Bay
READ MORE21 Feb
Part Four of the Extinction Business series of investigations and reports published by the EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading South Africa
READ MORE17 Jan
The EMS Foundation signed an open letter written to the Mayor of Dortmund by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa which has also signed by members of the Pro Elephant Network and endorsed by a number of wildlife conservationists, wildlife veterinarians, politicians and lawyers from around the world.
READ MORE24 Dec
Environmental lawyers Cullinan and Associates, acting on behalf of the EMS Foundation have, today issued an urgent communication which is addressed to the Executive Mayor of the Overstrand Municipality, representatives of the Baboon Management Joint Task Team, Cape Nature and Human Wildlife Solutions.
READ MORE6 Jul
THE EMS FOUNDATION OPPOSES TROPHY HUNTING AND THE ASSOCIATED TRADE IN TROPHIES AND ASSERTS THAT “KILLING TO CONSERVE” IS NEITHER AN ETHICAL NOR A SUBSTANTIAL APPROACH TO WILDLIFE CONSERVATION.
READ MORE3 Jun
The EMS Foundation recognises the fact that there are many talented young people who can achieve world-class results if given the correct opportunities. The foundation has discovered that there are schools in the regions in South Africa where the organisation is actively working are offering quality education, these deserving institutions are receiving our support.
READ MORE1 Jun
The problem of stockpiling ivory remains. The disjunct between online ivory sales data and seizure data had indicated that organised criminal groups were likely stockpiling ivory for various reasons. We suspect that this was because they were ‘banking on extinction’ - literally funding poaching to create private ivory stockpiles, which they could then drip feed to the market once elephants had become extinct, or a legal trade reignited (or both). Domestic ivory bans should therefore be indefinite and complete. Unfortunately, if range states keep talking about selling their ivory, the incentive for stockpiling remains.
READ MORE26 May
The concept of biodiversity offsetting does not recognise the right of the individual components of ecosystems to exist and of ecosystems to remain intact and functioning. The Guideline is silent on how the welfare of individual animals is to be protected when a decision is made to authorise the destruction of a habitat, based on offsetting.
READ MORE15 Mar
Phasellus enim libero, blandit vel sapien vitae, condimentum ultricies magna et. Quisque euismod orci utet.
READ MORE26 Nov
Operation Phakisa focused on unlocking the economic potentials of South African oceans. Offshore oil and gas extraction was one of the four areas where this potential was identified. President Jacob Zuma said that the ocean around the southern tip of Africa could contribute around a million jobs via shipbuilding and mineral resource extraction by 2033.
READ MORE11 Nov
The EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading gathered extensive information whilst investigating South Africa's big cat industry and South Africa's Lion Bone Trade which resulted in the first Extinction Business series of reports. The evidence in this report was used, amongst other, in a South African High Court matter.
READ MORE12 Aug
Elephants Killed for Trophies in the Kruger National Park System, South Africa The EMS Foundation has confirmed, via an access to information request to the Limpopo government (LEDET), that in 2020 four male elephants were killed for trophies in an open system with the Kruger National Park – the Balule Reserve. In addition, in 2020, […]
READ MORE3 May
The EMS Foundation, represented by Environmental lawyers Cullinan and Associates, submitted comments on the Draft Guidelines for the Transportation of Live Animals by Sea to the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development in South Africa on the 30th April 2021.
READ MORE25 Mar
Since at least as far back as the late 1990s, various NGOs have warned your department about the harmful and negative effects of breeding lions (and other big cats) in captivity. Yet, the South African government has done nothing to slow the growth of the captive lion breeding industry, nor has it given any indication of wanting to do so. This letter lays bare the facts and calls for immediate action. First, it details the risks embedded in captive lion (and other big cat) breeding and why the industry should be terminated.
READ MORE1 Apr
TROPHY HUNTING IN BOTSWANA Response from Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa to Sub-Committee on Hunting Ban Social Dialogue Report and Recommendation Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa is a coalition of twenty-six South African wildlife NGOs. We implore the government of Botswana not to implement the recommendations handed to the President on 21st February […]
READ MORE22 Feb
Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa is a coalition of twenty-six South African wildlife NGOs. We implore the government of Botswana not to implement the recommendations handed to the President on 21st February 2019. Image Credit: https://www.grahamsalessafaris.com/elephant-hunting-botswana/ © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.
READ MORE20 Oct
EMS FOUNDATION, ANIMAL LAW REFORM COMMENT ON VARIOUS RHINO HORN REGULATIONS AND NOTICES 2018 The conclusive comments include but are not limited to the following points: 2. In some instances, the provisions are contrary to South Africa’s CITES obligations and believe these can be exploited by persons involved in the trade. These loopholes need to […]
READ MORE31 May
Letter concering the well-being and safety of up to 2,000 wild hippopotami that currently live in Zambia’s Luangwa Valley and face destruction. © Copyright EMS Foundation 2018. All rights reserved.
READ MORE10 Apr
We respectfully urge you to publicly denounce the syndicates responsible for South Africa’s rhino poaching crisis and allocate adequate resources to investigate and prosecute these criminals to the full extent of the law. By taking swift action South Africa can overcome the immense challenges threatening the continued survival of the rhino and once again save […]
READ MORE15 Feb
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/population-vaquita-porpoises-has-dwindled-to-ten-but-rebound-isnt-out-of-question-180980068/ Scientists say there may now be fewer than 30 vaquitas left. According to the Center For Biological Diversity, vaquitas are about the size of small humans, topping out at about 5 feet long and 120 pounds, with black borders around their expressive eyes and rounded mouth. They’re known to be shy and elusive — but […]
READ MORE30 Jan
Asia for Animals Coalition letter to Ministry of Forestry, Indonesia regarding the treatment of animals at Ragunan Zoo. © Copyright EMS Foundation 2018. All rights reserved.
READ MORE11 Jan
We understand CNN – U.S. will be airing a pre-recorded interview with the CEO of Born Free USA, Prashant Khetan, on January 11 and a live conversation between Mr. Khetan and Philip Glass, a hunter featured in Trophy, on January 12. We are respectfully asking you to please reconsider airing this “shockumentary” on your esteemed […]
READ MORE11 Jan
https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/24/africa/zimbabwe-elephant-trade-intl/index.html The EMS Foundation signed a letter to President Emmerson Mnangagwa urging him to immediately halt the further capture and export of young, wild elephants from Zimbabwe’s parks to captive facilities overseas. © Copyright EMS Foundation 2018. All rights reserved.
READ MORE10 Jan
LETTER REGARDING THE PROSECUTION OF NGUYEN MAU CHIEN On behalf of the undersigned organisations, we are writing to congratulate you on your government’s commitment to tackle wildlife trafficking. This has been demonstrated by the landmark investigation and enforcement effort that has led to the upcoming first-instance trial of Nguyen Mau Chien and his associates Nguyen […]
READ MORE29 Nov
The African Lion Conservation Community’s Response to the South African Predator Association’s Letter We wish to express that SAPA’s letter is fraught with inaccuracies, false statements, and a flawed viewpoint that is shaped for the economic benefit of captive lion breeders. We recommend that USFWS maintains their current position which is to ban the importation […]
READ MORE14 Sep
IMPORTATION INTO THE EUROPEAN UNION OF HUNTING TROPHIES FROM ANNEX B SPECIES We therefore request that the European Commission and EU Member States urgently revise Commission Regulation 865/2006 to require the issuance of import permits for hunting trophies from all Annex B species. © 2017 EMS Foundation. All rights reserved.
READ MORE10 Jun
On behalf of the undersigned conservation and animal welfare organizations representing hundreds of millions of people worldwide, we urge you to immediately and permanently halt plans to capture and export five young live elephants from your Namibia property, Eden Wildlife to Safari Park Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. Read the full letter © 2017 EMS […]
READ MORE7 Apr
The Constitutional Court emphasised that constitutional values dictate a more caring attitude towards fellow humans, animals and the environment in general and that this obligation was especially pertinent because of South Africa’s history. Read the full letter © 2017 EMS Foundation. All rights reserved.
READ MORE30 Mar
We are writing on behalf of our organizations, representing millions of citizens worldwide, to request your support in urging Rakuten Inc. to immediately cease the sale of elephant ivory products.In the midst of a global elephant poaching crisis, we urge you to call for the end of Rakuten’s role in the ivory trade, and to […]
READ MORE10 Mar
The proposed regulations have come as a shock to the local and international community particularly given the fact that the Committee of Inquiry set up by the South African Government advised against commercial trading of rhino horns and, at the 2016 CITES COP the MAJORITY of world governments firmly opposed legalising international trade in rhino […]
READ MORE1 Feb
We therefore strongly urge the South Africa government to develop a plan that will explain how each of these implementation and enforcement challenges will be addressed, prior to the captive-bred lion skeleton export quota going into effect. Read the full letter © 2017 EMS Foundation. All rights reserved.
READ MORE10 Nov
EXPORTS OF LIVE ELEPHANTS FROM ZIMBABWE TO CAPTIVE FACILITIES Letter from the Species Survival Network (SSN) to the Minister of Environment, Zimbabwe, regarding potential exports of live elephants from Zimbabwe to captive facilities. © 2016 EMS Foundation. All rights reserved.
READ MORE30 Sep
As part of the public participation process for The Norms and Standards for the Management of Damage Causing Animals in South Africa, please find the following general comments and specific suggestions. Read the full document © 2016 EMS Foundation. All rights reserved.
READ MORE24 Sep
This Report tries to unpack South Africa’s role in a world where Africa’s animals are literally “Under Siege”. We highlight an obvious pattern: legal trade in both ivory and rhino horn is part of the problem and should be prohibited, because it has been used to launder illegal ivory and rhino horn which in turn […]
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