News - Page 3 of 4 - EMS Foundation

23 Mar

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE JUSTICE CHARTER

The EMS Foundation is extremely concerned by the fact that it is clearly not safe to exercise our fundamental human rights in defence of our environment in South Africa. Furthermore, we are devastated to learn that no arrests have been made in either of these assassinations.

2 Feb

DENIAL AND WHITEWASHING IS PUSHING THE RHINO SPECIES TO EXTINCTION

Minister Barbara Creecy stated: "While the extraordinary circumstances surrounding the battle to beat the COVID_19 pandemic contributed in part to the decrease in rhino poaching in 2020, the role of rangers and security personnel who remained at their posts, and the additional steps taken by the government to effectively deal with these and related offences, also played a significant role."

18 Jan

Kataza Can Stay in the Cape Province, Has This Been Considered?

For the record, the EMS Foundation is not in agreement with the baboon management protocols which include paintballing, firing bare bangers, the inappropriate relocation, permanent captivity of male baboons or the killing of baboons. “On average for management purposes, we kill about seven baboons a year – habitual raiders - it is a danger to the public to have them in urban areas” -Julia Wood, Biodiversity manager for the City of Cape Town. Cape Town ratepayers have been paying fourteen million rand a year for the services of a baboon management company.

15 Jan

KATAZA

According to their own statement, on the 12th of January 2021, the Cape of Good Hope SPCA submitted an application to CapeNature for a permit to capture, transport and relocate Kataza/SK11 from the Western Cape to Limpopo. Receipt of such application was not confirmed to the EMS Foundation on the same day by Dr Ernst Baard, Executive Director of Conservations Operations, CapeNature.

17 Dec

BUA NOI

Zoos cannot provide the amount of space gorillas have in the wild, gorillas roam for large distances. Zoos do not provide natural habitats and this is particularly true of the Paka Zoo in Bangkok. The well-being of gorillas is dependent on their environment, Bau Noi lives in unnatural surroundings on her own this could mean that she might have developed physical health problems or anxiety, depression and even psychosis. Bau Noi was captured from the wild, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on torture in 2011 concluded that solitary confinement for humans beyond fifteen days constituted cruel and inhumane punishment.

3 Nov

CLEAR AS MUD – The Official Response to Questions Relating to Trophy Hunting in the Associated Private Nature Reserves, the Greater Kruger National Park

On the 6th August 2020 the EMS Foundation wrote an open letter to the Minister of the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Barbara Creecy, the CEO of SanParks Fundisile Mketeni, the Minister of Tourism Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane and SH Makhubele the CEO of LEDET with regard to our concerns relating to the elephant hunt that took place in the Balule Nature Reserve an associated Private Nature Reserve which joins the Kruger National Park on the 5th December 2019. To date we have not received a response to this letter.

1 Nov

The EMS Foundation and Animal Law Reform South Africa – Answers to the DEFF High Level Panel Written Questions

The EMS Foundation and Animal Law Reform South Africa made a formal written submission to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment High Level Panel on 15 June 2020, a virtual presentation at the public consultation held by the HLP on 6 October 2020 and answered questions orally.

30 Oct

The Ill Treatment of Kataza (SK11) is the Tipping Point for the Need to Reconfigure the Protection of Chacma Baboons and their Natural Habitat in the Western Cape of South Africa

Over and above the destruction and fragmentation of their habitat, and despite being listed as a CITES Appendix II threatened species, baboons are offered very little protection in the Western Cape. Baboons are shot and poisoned, illegally captured and traded, hunted and used by traditional healers for medicinal purposes. In addition, they are also vulnerable to such hazards as power lines pylons, veld fires and road accidents.

30 Sep

DECEASED, A HUMPBACK WHALE, ANOTHER VICTIM OF FISHING EQUIPMENT ENTANGLEMENT SOUTH AFRICA

Dr Hofmeyer also reported a further two incidents in his interview with SABC News. “On the same day that the whale came ashore we also found on the beach a White-chinned Petrel, a type of sea bird, also entangled in fishing gut, and a dolphin washed ashore with a series of parallel cuts on its back which could only have been caused by a vessel propeller. Three animals have been killed here, directly because of human behaviour.”

7 Sep

WHALE ENTANGLEMENTS AN URGENT REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF NON-MOVABLE FISHING DEVICES

The EMS Foundation hereby submits a formal request for an immediate moratorium on the use of non-movable fishing devices, which include, but are not limited to, crayfish traps. We are extremely concerned by the documented accounts of whale fatalities in South African water which are a result of these devices.

28 Aug

PUNCH YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS AT THE OVERSTRAND WHALE BOXING CLUB

The founder of OWBC, Mzi Damesi, has an insatiable passion for boxing. He coaches children who live in Zwelihle at the club, which is housed in shipping containers. This club is not only is the training ground for aspiring young boxers it is also a place of refuge. Mzi Damesi's club keeps the children off the streets and out of harm's way. The club has become a safe haven for many children.

27 Aug

A Rainbow in Someone Else’s Cloud

"Education is the great engine of personal development. It is through education that the daughter of a peasant can become a doctor, that the son of mineworker can become the head of the mine, that a child of farm workers can become the President" Nelson Mandela

10 Aug

PLUNDERED SOUTH AFRICA’S COLDBLOODED INTERNATIONAL REPTILE TRADE

Plundered, South Africa’s cold-blooded international reptile trade, is the third investigative report in The Extinction Business Series. The two previous reports examined South Africa’s lion bone trade and South Africa’s live wildlife trade with China. The Reports focus on how loopholes and ineffectual controls in the permit system, which includes CITES, are enabling international laundering and smuggling of live wildlife. The same applies to the global trade in live reptiles and amphibians, the focus of the Plundered Report.

10 Aug

THE EXTINCTION BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT:

PLUNDERED South Africa's Coldblooded International Reptile Trade INVESTIGATIVE REPORT RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY THE EMS FOUNDATION AND BAN ANIMAL TRADING

7 Aug

CALL TO THE G20 TO SUPPORT A BAN ON THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE TRADE AND AN IMMEDIATE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF WILD ANIMAL MARKETS

We, the EMS Foundation and the World Animal Protection - Africa, with the endorsement of the undersigned African organisations, request President Cyril Ramaphosa―as a member of the G20 and as Chairman of the African Union―to support a G20 ban on international wildlife trade and an immediate and permanent closure of wild animal markets.

5 Aug

UNETHICAL TROPHY HUNTING OF ELEPHANT IN THE GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

On Monday 3rd August 2020, the Daily Mail newspaper with a readership of over 2.3 million people in the United Kingdom published an article with images and a video which were supplied by the organisation called People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The article is about a Californian trophy hunter called Aaron Raby who, on 5th December 2019, killed an elephant in the Balule Nature Reserve in the Associated Private Nature Reserves (APNR) which adjoins the Kruger National Park in South Africa.

27 Jul

RITA MILJO, REMEMBERING THE FEARLESS HEROINE OF BABOONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

n 2002 Nelson Mandela was with her for a release of troop of baboons at Shambala Wildlife Reserve in Limpopo in South Africa. The image above is from that special time, with grateful thanks to the management of C.A.R.E.

18 Jul

EMS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES MANDELA DAY 2020

In honour of Nelson Mandela, the founder of the EMS Foundation, Elizabeth Steyn has delighted the smallest children in the care of the Non-Government Organisation called Where Rainbows Meet with warm jackets, hoodies and shoes.

30 Jun

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MEAT SAFETY ACT

We, Animal Law Reform South Africa and the EMS Foundation, welcome the opportunity to provide our comments and hereby do so in relation to the Proposed Amendments to the Meat Safety Act gazetted for public consultation on the 28th February 2020 (“Proposed Amendments”).

16 Jun

SUBMISSION IN RESPECT OF DEFF HIGH LEVEL PANEL THE EMS FOUNDATION AND ANIMAL LAW REFORM SOUTH AFRICA

Please note that this Submission is non-exhaustive and does not represent all the responses to the issues and matters raised herein. We reserve the right to provide any further or additional information on aspects raised herein.

8 Jun

EMS FOUNDATION AND BAN ANIMAL TRADING BREAKING POINT REPORT MEMORANDUM TO MINISTER CREECY

On the 21st of May 2020 Minister Barbara Creecy publicly responded to the EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading Report on the legal wildlife trade between China and South Africa. The EMS Foundation and the Ban Animal Trading organisation have drafted a memorandum regarding the measures that should be taken in response to the aforementioned report.

1 Jun

THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FULFILLING IT’S ROLE AS A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE RULING GOVERNMENT

The EMS Foundation published a report called the Extinction Business in 2018. The report highlighted a two year investigation into South Africa’s Big Cat Captive Breeding Industry which included the concise details of South Africa’s controversial Lion Bone Export business. The publication of this report led to a two-day colloquium held in Parliament in 2018. The Parliamentary Committee recommended that this industry be shut down immediately. Minister Creecy has ignored this recommendation. Judge Kollapen rule in August 2019, in the Gauteng High Court, that the lion bone export quota is unlawful and constitutionally invalid.

22 May

THE BREAKING POINT REPORT – PRESS RELEASE 22ND MAY 2020

The Minister of Environment, Barbara Creecy, initiated a meeting with the EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading in response to the publication of The Breaking Point Report which highlighted the shameful live wildlife trade between South Africa and China. The meeting was held this morning. We welcome the Minister’s commitment to investigate the serious issues raised in our Report, within a three month period.

18 May

EXPOSED: ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE BOOMING THANKS TO LEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE

An investigation by EMS Foundation (EMS) and Ban Animal Trading (BAT) culminated in a report confirming the connection between illegal and legal wildlife trade. The report, BREAKING POINT: Uncovering South Africa’s Shameful Live Wildlife Trade with China, details the illegal and questionable trade of thousands of live animals under the pretense of legal trade.

17 May

THE BREAKING POINT – UNCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA’S SHAMEFUL LIVE WILDLIFE TRADE WITH CHINA

South Africa has become the largest exporter of live wild animals to Asia, where many wild animals are killed to extract potions from their carcases and are eaten as delicacies. Some are sent to languish in atrocious zoos. Some are inserted into the murky world of the illegal wildlife trade. The reality is that the South African government fails to apply its strong regulatory powers and by design or neglect allows strikingly large numbers of animals to be exported.

17 May

THE EXTINCTION BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT:

THE EXTINCTION BUSINESS INVESTIGATIVE REPORTS PART TWO: BREAKING POINT - UNCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA'S SHAMEFUL LIVE WILDLIFE TRADE WITH CHINA RESEARCHED AND WRITTEN BY THE EMS FOUNDATION AND BAN ANIMAL TRADING South Africa

14 May

WILDLIFE ANIMAL PROTECTION FORUM SOUTH AFRICA SUBMISSION TO THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

Captive wildlife industries in China have experienced unprecedented growth in recent decades. The members of the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa, in their invited submission to the Chinese government, has chosen to focus on four such industries.

5 May

DISTRACTIONS ASIDE, CONSERVATION NEEDS RADICAL CHANGE

The realities are uncomfortable. We cannot continue to allow wildlife trade because of the potential public health risks and because it contributes to the degradation of nature. And those who will be most negatively impacted by a degraded planet are the very same impoverished communities that wildlife trade proponents seek to benefit.

30 Apr

THUMA MIA, I AM HERE, SEND ME, Inspiring Us to Serve

A life-saving food delivery from Pick n Pay purchased by the Trustees of the EMS Foundation and Shambala Private Game Reserve for redistribution in the community of Vaalwater, in the Limpopo Province of South Africa.

29 Apr

WHO STANDS TO BENEFIT, IF THE WILDLIFE TRADE CONTINUES?

An open letter released by the Lion Coalition called on the World Health Organisation (WHO) to “release a formal position statement containing clear advice to governments to institute comprehensive and rigorously enforced bans on live wildlife markets and to close down the commercial wildlife trade which poses a risk to public health.

27 Apr

“Sometimes it Falls Upon a Generation to be Great” Nelson Mandela

Freedom Day is a public or Bank Holiday in South Africa and commemorates the first democratic post-apartheid non-racial elections that were held on April 27th 1994, which saw Nelson Mandela elected as President. The EMS Foundation assisted three hundred families with food security in Ocean View in celebration of Freedom Day 2020.

18 Apr

EMS FOUNDATION APPEALS FOR MORATORIUM ON THE LION BONE INDUSTRY

Until there is more information available about the risks of the captive breeding of lions and other big cats and the lion bone trade, both in terms of human health and to the survival of lions, a risk-averse and cautious approach requires that a moratorium is placed on the industry as outlined in the submission.

13 Apr

NOW IS THE TIME TO BAN THE WILDLIFE TRADE

The current public health crisis is forcing global leaders to reflect on what went wrong and what can be done to prevent future pandemics. Evidence suggests wildlife trade is responsible for the COVID-19 outbreak. But the question remains, what is the best path forward?

8 Apr

Building Relationships in the Vaalwater Community, Bridging the Trust Gap

n the image is the headmaster of the Moshia Secondary School, situated in the Alma a village in the Vaalwater district of Limpopo, Mr Setu, with the Trustee of the EMS Foundation and Shambala Private Game Reserve Mr Rajan Desraj, the Executive Director of the EMS Foundation, Michele Pickover, Patron of the EMS Foundation Mrs Elizabeth Steyn and Mayor Marlene van Staden with the local South African Police Station Commander. The image was taken at the celebration of the refurbishment of the Moshia Secondary School in 2020.

4 Apr

I CHOOSE TO BE HERE – THE ART OF GIVING DURING THE GLOBAL COVID_19 PANDEMIC

The EMS Foundation's key purpose is to alleviate and end suffering, and provide dignity to the most vulnerable groups of people in South Africa. In keeping with our purpose we made the decision to assist the community leaders that we have aligned ourselves with. Food security for their people has become a priority to these community leaders

27 Mar

LOVE AND THE ART OF GIVING DURING THE TIME OF THE COVID_19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

"A fundamental concern for others in our individual and community lives would go a long way in making the world the better place we so passionately dreamt of" Nelson Mandela

25 Mar

A LOOMING CRISIS – THE CAPTIVE BIG CAT INDUSTRY, COVID_19 AND GOVERNMENT CULPABILITY

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.

21 Mar

The South African Captive Bred Lion Industry and Associated Global Health Risks

As a consequence of the extensive evidence presented against the captive big-cat breeding industry and its abhorrent offshoots such as canned hunting and the unregulated lion bone trade, Parliament instructed the Minister of Environmental Affairs (at the time) and her Department – in December 2019 – to shut down the industry, which is a major ethical, legal and administrative embarrassment for South Africa.

18 Mar

The EMS Foundation Formally Requests Further Public Consultation on the DEFF Threatened or Protected Species Amended Regulations and Lists

Substantial amendments have been made both to the TOPS Regulations and the List; and five years have elapsed since the last public consultation on the proposed amendments; and that a further consultation with the public is therefore required by law prior to implementation of the proposed amendments.

26 Feb

IS SOUTH AFRICA’S LION BONE TRADE CREATING HEALTH RISKS FOR WORKERS AND CONSUMERS COVID_19?

In the wake of the coronavirus outbreak, likely attributable to the consumption of pangolin meat at a ‘wet’ wildlife meat market in Wuhan, China, the Chinese state has imposed a ban on the sale of wildlife and wildlife products. Even though this move is motivated by a desire to mitigate contagion risk, it is in keeping with China’s desire to portray itself as an ‘ecological civilisation’. An ecologically minded civilisation does not promote the domestication of wildlife to be farmed as mere consumables. South Africa could learn a lesson here.

26 Feb

WILDLIFE ORGANISATIONS UNITE TO RESPECT AND SECURE THE WILDLIFE AT THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN SOUTH AFRICA

An offer has been presented to the trustees of the SanWild Wildlife Trust which translates into an enormous investment. The offer has been made with the best interests of the wild animals at SanWild at heart, as well as that of the legacy of the SanWild Trust. The offer has been made despite SanWild’s complicated history, the lack of public trust and support, and the on-going and immense problems that it is facing.

23 Feb

THE MOSHIA SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECT 2020 “Inspiring Greatness”

A team from Shambala and two parents of pupils at the school set to work to begin the transformation process. The project was funded by Shambala Private Game Reserve and the EMS Foundation. The management team from Shambala and two parents of pupils at the school carried out all the hard work and managed the project.

7 Feb

CORONA VIRUS – THE EMS FOUNDATION CALLS ON MINISTER CREECY TO END THE LION BONE TRADE

Lion bones are being used as an alternative to tiger bones in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Tiger Bone Wine has been used in TCM for a thousand years or more for the treatment of rheumatism, although there are no known medicinal properties. Over a thousand lions are killed annually in South Africa for this trade. The trade is not regulated and as is explained in our letter to Minister Creecy there are no health and safety regulations in place. This trade is putting the lives at risk of the South Africans employed in this bizarre trade. As has been clearly demonstrated with the SARS virus and now with the new CORONA virus trading in lion bone with unknown medical consequences is irresponsible to say the least.

6 Feb

THE EMS FOUNDATION BID TO SAVE ELEPHANTS FROM HUNT IN BOTSWANA

Please read our request to the Director of Wildlife and National Parks in Botswana for a revision of the qualifying criteria to enable us to bid on the hunting packages on the 7th February 2020 with the express intention that the elephants in these packages are not hunted should our bids be successful.

31 Jan

THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE PAPER DOES NOT PROVE THE BENEFITS OF TROPHY HUNTING

The EMS Foundation has analysed the IUCN document, which is typically hauled out by proponents of trophy hunting or referred to by governments who have become reluctant to ban trophy hunting imports. The analysis serves primarily to inform the British government's deliberations over whether to ban trophy imports (and what kind of ban would be appropriate). More broadly, it exposes holes in the paper's arguments and brings other evidence to bear that suggests it has not been sufficiently rigorous in its appraisal of the conservation benefits of trophy hunting. In a nutshell, it provides a contrary view to conventional wisdom in conservation circles and suggests that alternatives to trophy hunting are feasible and socio-ecologically preferable in the long run.

21 Jan

The EMS Foundation and UK DEFRA CONSULTATION – TROPHY HUNTING POLICY BRIEFING

These animals are part of the country's national heritage but are permitted to be shot by foreign trophy hunters for the benefit of a small number of wealthy white landowners. Tellingly, governance breaches in the APNR abound. How much money actually accrues to the local communities remains unknown due to a lack of transparency in the industry."

30 Nov

WHALE COAST CONSERVATION

Comment on the Proposed Overstrand Municipality Amendment By-Law on Municipal Land Use Planning 2019 and Associated Documents

28 Nov

The Long Tentacles of Safari Club International (SCI) Undermining Conservation Efforts in Africa

It is time to put an end to the narrative that poor rural African communities unequivocally support trophy hunting. It is also time to put an end to the idea that trophy hunting can somehow be well governed in corrupt contexts. The practice is self-evidently repugnant, and the willingness of some scientists to ignore such repugnance in the name of science is deeply unscientific. There is, in the end, no dichotomy between morality and science. The fact that the SCI and its Foundation have to go to such great lengths to justify killing under the banner of ‘conservation’, and actively exclude dissenting voices through AWCF meetings, tells you everything you need to know. Trophy hunting is fundamentally extractive and clearly has colonial roots. Rationalising it now as an anti-colonial policy choice under ‘sovereignty’ is deeply disingenuous.

26 Nov

WAPFSA RESPONDS TO THE THE HIGH LEVEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

We are disappointed and deeply concerned with the selection of the Committee as well as the Department’s lack of transparency and clarity in respect of the selection thereof. In our Nominations Letter, we put forward extremely qualified candidates who collectively have decades of experience and extensive qualifications in their respective fields of ethical conservation management, biodiversity policies, wildlife trade, legislation, animal protection, economics and welfare species-specific expertise.

25 Nov

THE FUTURE OF THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

For 20 years the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Gravelotte in Limpopo, has received public donations in its capacity as a public benefit organisation in order to sustain itself. According to research carried out the Sanctuary has, in our opinion, been grossly mismanaged, as clearly indicated by the media statement referred to. Public money has allegedly been misappropriated and the animals treated as mere commodities, the very opposite of a sanctuary.

11 Nov

South Africa’s Positional Play at CITES is Poor Form

Stakeholders in the wildlife ranching industry were at pains to moan about how ‘western’ NGOs have ‘captured CITES’, which in their view is a trade convention as opposed to a conservation convention. It might be worth reminding everybody that the very first part of the preamble to the Convention text recognises ‘that wild fauna and flora in their many beautiful and varied forms are an irreplaceable part of the natural systems of the earth which must be protected for this and the generations to come.’ Every element of the trade regime is premised on this need for protection.

4 Nov

The EMS Foundation Visits The Overstrand Whale Boxing Club

The EMS Foundations has supported the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club, in Hermanus in Cape Town South Africa since June 2019. The Patron and Executive Director of EMS Foundation, Liz Steyn and Michele Pickover expressed their satisfaction and joy at Boxing Club achievements in September and confirmed their support to training, competitions and travelling. “We believe in everything you are doing”.

22 Oct

EMS Presentation to the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs:

On the 22nd of October, economist Dr Ross Harvey presented to the Portfolio Committee (PC) an analysis called "Bred for the bullet: Why big cats should not be bred in captivity", which was a summary of the current state of the predator breeding industry in South Africa in an effort to empower portfolio committee members to hold the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) to account.

16 Oct

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pressure Mounts on Governments to Stop Baby Elephant Imports

A letter has been delivered by hand to the Chinese ambassador to the United Nations, urging the Chinese president to halt the reportedly imminent import of 33 captive elephants from Zimbabwe to undisclosed captive facilities in China (word on the ground estimates that the transport will occur today or tomorrow). The letter is penned by a group of thirty-five global specialists in elephant biology, husbandry, elephant management, legal and policy analysis, economics and conservation, most of whom are based in Africa.

16 Oct

Urgent Letter Regarding Import of Elephants to Pakistan from Africa

Namibian environment ministry confirmed on the 1st November 2019 that there was no longer any application under consideration to export elephants to Pakistan. A group of 35 global specialists in elephant biology, husbandry, elephant management, legal and policy analysis, economics and conservation, most of whom are based in Africa expressed their concerns to both the Namibian and Pakistan governments. The EMS Foundation said in its letter that globally public sentiment was running against the keeping of this iconic African species in captivity.

16 Oct

Urgent Letter Re Proposed Export of Elephants from Namibia to Pakistan

Removing baby elephants from their families is increasingly recognised as an ethically and ecologically unacceptable practice. It is universally recognized that elephants are wide-ranging, vastly intelligent, sentient beings with a highly organised social structure including strong family bonds that can last a lifetime. Elephants also have basic needs for stimulating ecological and social environments, and for the freedom to exercise choice over their foraging options and companions. These needs cannot be met under captive conditions and elephants so deprived inevitably suffer from physical and mental pathologies.

15 Oct

Local Boxers Big Hit at Nationals

Overstrand Whale Boxing Club’s boxers marched through the streets of Zwelihle with a banner and posters to thank EMS Foundation for the organisation’s support. The talented young boxers also displayed the trophies they won at various boxing tournaments.

15 Oct

Presentation: Chief Stephen Fritz

EMS Foundation held an elephant conference in Hermanus, global elephant experts attended to discuss African elephants in captivity in zoos around the world. Chief Stephen Fritz a community leader opened the conference explaining the important of the elephant in the Khoisan culture.

15 Oct

Presentation: Dr Gay Bradshaw

Dr Gay Bradshaw holds doctorate degrees in both ecology and psychology She holds a Master's in geophysics Her research expertise focuses on the sources and healing of human-caused violence to Animals. She was first to diagnose Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in free living Elephants and Chimpanzees.

15 Oct

Presentation: Jim Karani

Jim Karani is Africa’s first Animal lawyer and an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. He speaks about policy contexts including trade in Elephants and the CITES “acceptable destinations”.

15 Oct

Presentation: Dr Joyce Poole

Dr Joyce Poole is the Co-director of ElephantVoices. Joyce is an elephant ethologist/ecologist, and conservation biologist and is a world authority on elephant reproductive, communicative and cognitive behaviour. She speaks about who elephants are and why they are not suited to captivity.

15 Oct

Presentation: Kahindi Lekalhaile

Kahindi Lekalhaile is the Chief Operations Director at the Africa Network for Animal Welfare. He presented at the EMS Foundation global elephant conference held in Hermanus called: Taking Elephants Out of the Room. He spoke about animal welfare considerations for decision makers on keeping elephants in captivity.

15 Oct

Presentation: Prof. David Bilchitz

Professor David Bilchitz is a Professor of Fundamental Rights and Constitutional Law at the University of Johannesburg. Professor Bilchitz presented at the EMS Foundation elephant indaba, Taking Elephants Out of the Room, held in Hermanus in South Africa. He is Director of the South African Institute for Advanced Constitutional, Public, Human Rights and International Law (SAIFAC) He spoke about the policy framework of “Sustainable Use” in relation to animal welfare and elephants in South Africa.

10 Oct

Indaba of Experts Concludes that Elephants Should Not be in Captivity

On 6 September 2019, the EMS Foundation, convened an international Indaba and Panel Discussion with national and international elephant behavioural specialists in Hermanus, Western Cape, South Africa, to discuss the issue of elephants in captivity and to develop a framework as well as policy guidelines for dealing with elephants in captivity.

7 Oct

Fighting for Positive Change

Coach and founder of the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club (OWBC) Mzi Damesi has big dreams of taking boxing to local communities with a ‘pop-up’ boxing ring. “Boxing is a great sport: it teaches youngsters discipline, courage, self-defence skills and the resilience to handle life’s challenges,” he says.

7 Oct

Local boxing Club Rakes in Awards

In Swellendam on 27 July, Siphamandla Damesi won the Newcomer of the Year Overberg Sport Council award. Siphamandla has been winning almost nothing but gold medals and trophies since 2018 and the club is hoping he will be chosen for the South African team for 2020.

7 Oct

Alleged Smuggling of Lion Bones Called “Legal” by Minister’s Spokesperson

The export of lion bones from South Africa is currently illegal. In order to be legal, a yearly quota is supposed to be proposed by the South African Scientific Authority including the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) through the National Convention on the international Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) Management Authority, then approved and communicated to all provincial conservation departments and managed at National level under the authority of the Minister of Forestry and Fishery and Environmental Affairs, Barbara Creecy.

4 Oct

Giving new meaning to the word Disingenuous!

Barbara Creecy, South Africa’s Minister for the Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, yesterday – 3 October 2019 – addressed the launch of South Africa’s National Biodiversity Assessment. This occasion follows hot on the heels of the Minister appearing in selfies with Greta Thunberg, whose speech to the United Nations Climate Action summit on 23 September has made some angry white men hot under the collar (or even angrier).

4 Oct

Compatibility of Trophy Hunting as a Form of Sustainable Use with IUCN’s Objectives

The debate about the justifiability of trophy hunting ranges from stressing economic benefits at one end of the spectrum to fundamental ethical objections at the other. Supporters base their argument largely on the perceived virtue of economic benefits and advantages for conservation. The claim is that local communities financially benefit from hunting and funds raised can be directed toward conservation efforts. These claims are based on financial, empirical evidence, but the benefits appear to be nowhere near as widespread as claimed. For example, in Zimbabwe as little as 3% of the income for trophy hunting actually reaches local communities.

22 Sep

Exporting Chimpanzees from South Africa to China: Utterly wrong but Technically Allowed by CITES Loopholes?

All our attempts to engage with and confirm this with both the North West province (including their spokesperson) and the Hartbeespoort Snake and Animal Park have been unsuccessful, as neither returned our calls or responded to our enquiries.

10 Sep

Elephants in Captivity Under the Spotlight: Taking Elephants out of the Room

ln Hermanus on 6 September, at the Municipal Auditorium, elephant specialists from around Africa and the world participated in a conference, Taking Elephants out of the Room, to begin the process of dealing with issues of their captivity, welfare and the ethics of confining these sentient creatures. The aim was to create a framework within which to assess the ‘imprisonment’ of captive elephants and to set standards for their ethical treatment.

9 Sep

Presentation: Audrey Delsink

TAKING ELEPHANTS OUT OF THE ROOM EMS FOUNDATION ELEPHANT INDABA Taking Elephants out of the Room, September 2019 Image Credit: https://www.iol.co.za/ios/news/problem-planning-not-problem-elephants-23b719ac-507e-4848-8097-13a9d89278d0 © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.

9 Sep

Presentation: Marion E. Garaï

TAKING ELEPHANTS OUT OF THE ROOM EMS FOUNDATION ELEPHANT INDABA Taking Elephants out of the Room, September 2019 Image Credit: https://rss.com/podcasts/allaboutanimals/554892/ © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.

9 Sep

Presentation: Yolanda Pretorius

TAKING ELEPHANTS OUT OF THE ROOM THE EMS FOUNDATION ELEPHANT INDABA Taking Elephants out of the Room, September 2019 Image Credit: https://www.up.ac.za/research-matters/news/post_2993274-learning-from-the-intelligence-and-emotion-of-elephants © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.

9 Sep

Presentation: Lynne James

TAKING ELEPHANTS OUT OF THE ROOM THE EMS FOUNDATION ELEPHANT INDABA SPCA Zimbabwe Lynne James is the Chair of the Mutare SPCA in Zimbabwe. She speaks about the capture of Zimbabwe’s elephants

9 Sep

Presentation: Antoinette van de Water

9 Sep

Presentation: Keith Lindsey

9 Sep

Presentation: Lenin Tinashe Chisaira

30 Aug

No Governance, No Science and No Sustainability in South Africa’s Captive Lion Breeding Industry

It has been clear for a long time that – to put it euphemistically – there has been a catastrophic absence of governance in South Africa’s captive lion breeding industry. The national Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) is tone-deaf to the global scientific community’s abhorrence of the industry. A strong indicator of zero governance is that DEFF repeatedly says that it does not know how many lions are in captivity in South Africa and how many facilities are involved in the various immoral activities associated with the industry (such as unregulated slaughter for the lion bone market). For this reason, in May 2019 the EMS Foundation submitted a request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), no. 2 of 2000 to get an answer to these questions.

26 Aug

It’s not a Numbers Game

The shooting of elephants is often defended on the grounds that it provides conservation benefits that could not otherwise be achieved. For instance, not all conservation areas are amenable to photographic tourism, which means that they require other sources of funding to prevent the conversion of that wilderness landscape to agriculture whether that be through culling or trophy hunting. This argument is likely reflective of a false dichotomy, but that is not the subject of this article. Another argument typically offered in favour of culling elephants is that elephants destroy large trees, which has negative cascading ecological effects. The natural order of vegetation is ostensibly upended, and other species suffer as a result.

26 Aug

Access to Information Request Reveals that South Africa holds 77 tonnes of Stockpiled Ivory: This is Untenable

South Africa doesn’t make its ivory stockpile numbers publicly known, so in May 2019 the EMS Foundation submitted a request under the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), no. 2 of 2000. In response, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) revealed that the national ivory stockpile held by government bodies is nearly 77 tonnes. The majority of this ivory is held by South Africa National Parks (SANParks), with the remainder split between other government bodies that manage ivory. Of the total tonnage, 50 tonnes are comprised of ‘management’ ivory, which includes ivory removed from ‘culled’ elephants, natural mortality or ‘damage causing animals’. A further 15.8 tonnes are confiscations, while 10.9 tonnes fall into the ‘unknown’ category. Private ivory stockpiles also feature a remarkable 8.9 tonnes, 7.3 of which are ‘management’, while 1.6 are of ‘unknown’ origin.

26 Aug

SOUTH AFRICA’S RHINO HORN STOCKPILE

In response, the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries (DEFF) revealed that that the government is holding 27 tonnes of rhino horn through SANParks and other government bodies. This consists of 15,003 horns. The PAIA response also states that the total number of horns held privately is 18,884, amounting to 22 tonnes. This makes the average weight of the government horns 1,8kg and the average private horn 1.19kg. The average front horn of a white rhino weighs 4 kg, so the weight discrepancy needs to be explained. Horns accruing from natural mortality (combining government and private stockpiles) weigh 45 tonnes, while confiscated horn is 25 tonnes.

20 Aug

Open Letter by Elephant Specialists, Re Captive Elephants and Import of Wild Elephants for Captivity

This letter, signed by 54 experts who "collectively are world-renowned authorities on elephant behaviour, sociality, welfare, care and conservation," was sent to US Fish and Wildlife today in opposition to any prospective imports of wild-caught elephants from Zimbabwe or, by extension, any nation.

19 Aug

The Environmental Movement in South Africa

An Analysis Of Animal-Based Issues, Campaigns And Organisations “The animals of the world exist for their own reason. They were not made for humans any more than black people were made for whites or women for men.” Alice Walker Oppression of animals that are not human often takes place invisibly. Social constructs and arrangements as […]

7 Aug

WAPFSA Comments on Biodiversity Bill

We want to highlight the importance of today’s Lion Bone Judgement which has major implications for CapeNature and the issuing of permits to facilities keeping captive wildlife and offering wildlife/human interaction. We request a moratorium on issuing of permits until processes and procedures will be in place to implement the judjment which we request you […]

6 Aug

High Court Judgement on Lion Bone Quota

Lion Bone Judgement in Full: A landmark decision was reached in the High Court in the matter NSPCA vs Department of Environmental Affairs on the 6th of August 2019. The decision was made in regard to South Africa’s controversial lion bone trade. The trade in lion bone in 2017 and 2018 was ruled unlawful and […]

30 Jul

The EMS Foundation And Ban Animal Trading Investigation

The first part of the Extinction Business series of investigative reports was published in July 2018, the result of eighteen months of research. Titled the Extinction Business South Africa's Lion Bone Trade researched, written and published by the EMS Foundation and Ban Animal Trading South Africa.

30 Jul

SSN Briefing to the South African Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries

Many congratulations on your appointment as Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. The fact that you were asked to take on this vast portfolio speaks much for your track record. We wish you every success in the job and hope there will be opportunities for us to work together to help advance South Africa’s efforts to protect and conserve its wildlife. We represent organisations that are members of the Species Survival Network (SSN), and in particular its Rhinoceros and Elephant Working Groups. Founded in 1992, SSN is an international coalition of over 80 non- governmental organizations committed to the promotion, enhancement, and strict enforcement of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). As a group of conservation organisations with extensive knowledge of, and decades of experience with, wildlife policy, particularly in relation to trade, we have prepared the attached briefing on the impacts of international trade on endangered species, in the hope that you will find the time to read and consider it. We have prepared it in the knowledge that poaching crises, however daunting they may appear, can be - and have been - dealt with successfully, provided that the full range of available tools are used and that policies that directly undermine efforts to conserve wildlife are not adopted

18 Jul

Donation of Tutudesks to schools in the Vaalwater area of Limpopo

The EMS Foundation and Shambala Private Game Reserve donated Tutu Desks to six schools in Limpopo Province to help make teaching and learning effective. Tutu desks are made to last each pupil the duration of the school career.

16 Jul

Letter RE: Euthanizing of Baboons as a Strategy

Following the euthanasia of five baboons in the last three months, we met with a group of concerned interested and affected parties and discussed their concerns. The consensus of the meeting was that there is an urgent need to call for a moratorium on killing baboons, until such a time that there is a more in-depth assessment of the current situation. The undersigned organisations are in support of such a moratorium. In our opinion, there is a deep underlying incompatibility between the killing of baboons in terms of the latest Guidelines and not resolving the factors that contribute to the raiding behaviour that create the very basis for the implementation of these Guidelines.

16 Jul

Ability Organic Garden

The EMS Foundation currently supports the Ability Garden in the Overberg region of the Western Cape in South Africa. This is a food security project. Establishing food gardens at various organisations and schools is one of the EMS Foundation's key projects in South Africa.

12 Jul

Octopus Trapping in the False Bay, how to move forward

"It is of serious concern to us that 13 whales have been entangled in octopus-trap fisheries along the South African coast over several years, with 9 whales having succumbed to their injuries. Although very dangerous, octopus traps are not the only line catch devices causing entanglements; other fatalities have been recorded and have been linked to crayfish line traps. It is our understanding that both octopus and crayfish catch devices, as well as other line nonmovable systems, are a huge threat to marine life and simply should not be permitted in or near protected areas and along all known whale reproductive routes".

18 Jun

Determination of the 2019 Leopard Trophy Hunting Quota Submission

17 Jun

2019 Lion Bone Quota Submission

WILDLIFE ANIMAL PROTECTION FORUM SOUTH AFRICA SUBMISSION TO MINISTER BARBARA CREECY For the determination of the 2019 Lion Bone Quota – Submission from Twenty-Five NGOs represented by the Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa to Minister and Department of Environment Forestry and Fisheries, 17 June 2019. © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.

4 Jun

Local boxing club an inspiration to all

The RDP Centre in Zwelihle erupted into jubilant celebrations on Saturday afternoon, when the EMS Foundation handed over a substantial donation to the Overstrand Whale Boxing Club. The heart-warming handover ceremony, hosted by William Ntebe and Fikiswa Gxamesi of the Zwelihle Youth Café, kicked off when an overjoyed Coach Mzi Damesi and his more than […]

28 May

OWBC Hits for Gold

The Overstrand Whale Boxing Club (OWBC) competed in a number of competitions recently: Coach Mzi would like to thank Liza van Coppenhagen for allowing them to do fundraising at the Hermanus Country Market, as well at the Hermanus community for their support. The funds raised allowed the boys to attend all three competitions. ©EMS Foundation […]

1 Apr

Response from Wildlife Animal Protection Forum South Africa

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 […]

22 Feb

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 2019. Image Credit: https://www.grahamsalessafaris.com/elephant-hunting-botswana/ © Copyright EMS Foundation 2019. All rights reserved.

21 Feb

Parliamentary Inquiry into Benefit-Sharing Agreement in the Western Boundary of the Kruger National Park between SANParks, APNR and Communities

5 – 6 February 2019 Parliament slams Kruger Park for defying directive not to sign agreement with neighbours Kruger National Park has been condemned by Parliament for signing an agreement which it had been expressly forbidden to sign by the Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs. Read the full article on the Daily Maverick Trophy hunting […]

21 Feb

Comments on Draft Norms and Standards for the Management of Elephants in South Africa

Elephants are highly intelligent, sensitive and social creatures that have their own intrinsic worth, a worth that needs to be protected. They further have immeasurable value to our country, its people, our heritage and future generations. They have complex social systems and qualities beyond our understanding. There is various scientific research in this regard. The […]

Archive

THE SOUTH AFRICAN CLIMATE JUSTICE CHARTER

DENIAL AND WHITEWASHING IS PUSHING THE RHINO SPECIES TO EXTINCTION

Kataza Can Stay in the Cape Province, Has This Been Considered?

KATAZA

BUA NOI

CLEAR AS MUD – The Official Response to Questions Relating to Trophy Hunting in the Associated Private Nature Reserves, the Greater Kruger National Park

The EMS Foundation and Animal Law Reform South Africa – Answers to the DEFF High Level Panel Written Questions

The Ill Treatment of Kataza (SK11) is the Tipping Point for the Need to Reconfigure the Protection of Chacma Baboons and their Natural Habitat in the Western Cape of South Africa

DECEASED, A HUMPBACK WHALE, ANOTHER VICTIM OF FISHING EQUIPMENT ENTANGLEMENT SOUTH AFRICA

WHALE ENTANGLEMENTS AN URGENT REQUEST FOR IMMEDIATE MORATORIUM ON THE USE OF NON-MOVABLE FISHING DEVICES

PUNCH YOUR WAY TO SUCCESS AT THE OVERSTRAND WHALE BOXING CLUB

A Rainbow in Someone Else’s Cloud

PLUNDERED SOUTH AFRICA’S COLDBLOODED INTERNATIONAL REPTILE TRADE

THE EXTINCTION BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT:

CALL TO THE G20 TO SUPPORT A BAN ON THE INTERNATIONAL WILDLIFE TRADE AND AN IMMEDIATE PERMANENT CLOSURE OF WILD ANIMAL MARKETS

UNETHICAL TROPHY HUNTING OF ELEPHANT IN THE GREATER KRUGER NATIONAL PARK

RITA MILJO, REMEMBERING THE FEARLESS HEROINE OF BABOONS IN SOUTH AFRICA

EMS FOUNDATION CELEBRATES MANDELA DAY 2020

PROPOSED AMENDMENTS TO THE MEAT SAFETY ACT

SUBMISSION IN RESPECT OF DEFF HIGH LEVEL PANEL THE EMS FOUNDATION AND ANIMAL LAW REFORM SOUTH AFRICA

EMS FOUNDATION AND BAN ANIMAL TRADING BREAKING POINT REPORT MEMORANDUM TO MINISTER CREECY

THE DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE FULFILLING IT’S ROLE AS A CREDIBLE ALTERNATIVE TO THE RULING GOVERNMENT

THE BREAKING POINT REPORT – PRESS RELEASE 22ND MAY 2020

EXPOSED: ILLEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE BOOMING THANKS TO LEGAL WILDLIFE TRADE

THE BREAKING POINT – UNCOVERING SOUTH AFRICA’S SHAMEFUL LIVE WILDLIFE TRADE WITH CHINA

THE EXTINCTION BUSINESS SPECIAL REPORT:

WILDLIFE ANIMAL PROTECTION FORUM SOUTH AFRICA SUBMISSION TO THE CHINESE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND RURAL AFFAIRS

DISTRACTIONS ASIDE, CONSERVATION NEEDS RADICAL CHANGE

THUMA MIA, I AM HERE, SEND ME, Inspiring Us to Serve

WHO STANDS TO BENEFIT, IF THE WILDLIFE TRADE CONTINUES?

“Sometimes it Falls Upon a Generation to be Great” Nelson Mandela

EMS FOUNDATION APPEALS FOR MORATORIUM ON THE LION BONE INDUSTRY

NOW IS THE TIME TO BAN THE WILDLIFE TRADE

Building Relationships in the Vaalwater Community, Bridging the Trust Gap

I CHOOSE TO BE HERE – THE ART OF GIVING DURING THE GLOBAL COVID_19 PANDEMIC

LOVE AND THE ART OF GIVING DURING THE TIME OF THE COVID_19 GLOBAL PANDEMIC

A LOOMING CRISIS – THE CAPTIVE BIG CAT INDUSTRY, COVID_19 AND GOVERNMENT CULPABILITY

The South African Captive Bred Lion Industry and Associated Global Health Risks

The EMS Foundation Formally Requests Further Public Consultation on the DEFF Threatened or Protected Species Amended Regulations and Lists

IS SOUTH AFRICA’S LION BONE TRADE CREATING HEALTH RISKS FOR WORKERS AND CONSUMERS COVID_19?

WILDLIFE ORGANISATIONS UNITE TO RESPECT AND SECURE THE WILDLIFE AT THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY IN SOUTH AFRICA

THE MOSHIA SECONDARY SCHOOL PROJECT 2020 “Inspiring Greatness”

CORONA VIRUS – THE EMS FOUNDATION CALLS ON MINISTER CREECY TO END THE LION BONE TRADE

THE EMS FOUNDATION BID TO SAVE ELEPHANTS FROM HUNT IN BOTSWANA

THE INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR THE CONSERVATION OF NATURE PAPER DOES NOT PROVE THE BENEFITS OF TROPHY HUNTING

The EMS Foundation and UK DEFRA CONSULTATION – TROPHY HUNTING POLICY BRIEFING

WHALE COAST CONSERVATION

The Long Tentacles of Safari Club International (SCI) Undermining Conservation Efforts in Africa

WAPFSA RESPONDS TO THE THE HIGH LEVEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTED BY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES

THE FUTURE OF THE SANWILD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

South Africa’s Positional Play at CITES is Poor Form

The EMS Foundation Visits The Overstrand Whale Boxing Club

EMS Presentation to the Parliament Portfolio Committee on Environmental Affairs:

MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Pressure Mounts on Governments to Stop Baby Elephant Imports

Urgent Letter Regarding Import of Elephants to Pakistan from Africa

Urgent Letter Re Proposed Export of Elephants from Namibia to Pakistan

Local Boxers Big Hit at Nationals

Presentation: Chief Stephen Fritz

Presentation: Dr Gay Bradshaw

Presentation: Jim Karani

Presentation: Dr Joyce Poole

Presentation: Kahindi Lekalhaile

Presentation: Prof. David Bilchitz

Indaba of Experts Concludes that Elephants Should Not be in Captivity

Fighting for Positive Change

Local boxing Club Rakes in Awards

Alleged Smuggling of Lion Bones Called “Legal” by Minister’s Spokesperson

Giving new meaning to the word Disingenuous!

Compatibility of Trophy Hunting as a Form of Sustainable Use with IUCN’s Objectives

Exporting Chimpanzees from South Africa to China: Utterly wrong but Technically Allowed by CITES Loopholes?

Elephants in Captivity Under the Spotlight: Taking Elephants out of the Room

Presentation: Audrey Delsink

Presentation: Marion E. Garaï

Presentation: Yolanda Pretorius

Presentation: Lynne James

Presentation: Antoinette van de Water

Presentation: Keith Lindsey

Presentation: Lenin Tinashe Chisaira

No Governance, No Science and No Sustainability in South Africa’s Captive Lion Breeding Industry