GUIDELINE FOR COMMENTS ON DFFE DRAFT POLICY POSITION

“I support the DFFE DRAFT POLICY POSITION document with its broad vision of reimagining a relationship with Nature. In particular, a vision of secured, restored and rewilded natural landscapes with thriving populations of elephant, lion, rhino and leopard, as indicators for a vibrant, responsible, inclusive, transformed and sustainable wildlife sectors and an equitable society living in harmony in nature”.

GUIDELINE TO KEY POINTS FOR YOUR SUBMISSION:

In particular , if this is your opinion, state that you welcome a overreaching policy and are in support of:

A shift towards a transformative, inclusive vision in Harmony with Nature.
Principles of rewildling, of enhancing wildlife’s survival in the wild, of reversing the domestication and exploitation of wildlife in captivity and under intensive management
The protection of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, biodiversity hotspots and heritage sites
The inclusion of interspecies welfare and wellbeing, in particular, the principles of “One Welfare” and “One Health for the benefit of human and non-human animals.
The halting of commodification of wildlife and wilderness
The halting of breeding and operations in captive facilities keeping wildlife; the halting of relative trade in live animals and their body parts.
Enhancing the reputation of South Africa as a conservation destination – this will also incentivise consistent external funding -through the inclusion of principles of ethics, compassion, intrinsic value, sentience, humane treatment and respect for wildlife and biodiversity.
The inclusion of “Ubuntu”.
Efforts to reverse biodiversity losses through the promotion of regenerative practices, including practices to revive the African identity and heritage and the indigenous knowledge consistent with the protection of Nature.
The stockpile of rhino horn, lion bone and ivory should be eliminated, in line with all the above.

Additional important comments:

The notion of “Ecologically Sustainable Use” should include the principles of ethics, compassion, intrinsic value, sentience, humane treatment and respect for wildlife, recognising African wildlife as heritage to protect.
I support welfare and a humane phasing out of the captive cat industry and captive breeding operations (CBO) – including the humane managing of other exotic and indigenous wildlife currently held captive. Attention should be focussing also on the human rights of workers during this process.
Trophy hunting of lion, rhino, elephant, and leopard are not in line with the broad vision of the document and therefore should not be considered.
The definition of well-being should always include welfare
There is no data on the surviving populations of leopards. The policy should include:
A ban on the exploitation of this animal listed in CITES, Appendix I – and
Measure to enhance human-predator co-existence, to halt the trapping and poaching of so called “damage causing animal” and for traditional use of parts and skin/ fur.
Overwhelming new science indicates that elephants suffer tremendously in captivity. I therefore do not support the keeping and handling – unless it is for medical and rehabilitation and rewildling / release purposes – the riding and any commercial interaction with elephants. Keeping suffering elephants in display in zoos is also not in line with the African heritage and culture.

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