areas to livestock grazing is estimated at R3,6 million
per year.
Tourism related to the St Lucia estuary area employs
an estimated 1291 direct full-time equivalent jobs and
6924 indirect jobs. There are about 510 000 visitors to
the study area per annum, of whom 42% are foreign
visitors, that spend R46 million on an estimated 157
000 tourism activities from local operators.
iSimangaliso has not been idle in working towards the
hydrological restoration of Africa’s greatest wetland.
Cyclone Engineering, the company awarded a R10
million contract to remove 100 000m3 of dredge
spoil (sand, silt and vegetation) that was placed in
the natural course of the uMfolozi River impeding its
flow into Lake St Lucia, is establishing site. This is the
biggest wetland rehabilitation in South Africa, and a
milestone in the healing of the Lake St Lucia Estuary.
With the support of the Global Environmental Facility
(GEF) and World Bank, a further R20 million has been
allocated to iSimangaliso to continue the work of
restoring Africa’s largest estuarine system.
If you would like further information, the following
link offers additional insight: http://isimangaliso.com/
newsflash/isimangaliso-signs-historic-contract-torestore-lake-st-lucia/
Andrew Zaloumis
CEO, iSimangaliso Wetland Park
Internationalization of RhODIS®
and eRhODISTM as benchmark
forensic tools to combat wildlife
crime
University of Pretoria, South Africa
Science and Tech Type: DNA Analysis or Databases
The DNA- and IT-based Rhino DNA Indexing System
(RhODIS®) and Electronic Rhino DNA Indexing System
(eRhODISTM) provide forensic tracing for African
rhinoceroses and their parts (including horns), linking
parts back to source animals and criminals to specific
crimes.
DNA samples collected are frequently of varying
quality, held up by red tape, or face chain-of-custody
issues. An international system that standardizes DNA
and data-collection processes and facilitates delivery
to forensic testing labs may help authorities better
monitor illegal trade involving rhinos.
The project aims to increase its impact through
development and validation of an internationally
available rhinoceros nuclear DNA analysis kit.
The Team: RhODIS is led by the University of Pretoria’s
Veterinary Genetics Laboratory. The team includes a
chief analyst, six technicians, two administrative staff
members, a systems developer, and a quality manager.
The Problem: although adopted by all the African
Rhinoceros Range States, RhODIS® has received
samples from less than 50 percent of media-reported
horn seizures.
Solution Partners: the South African National Parks,
which provided initial project funding, and the South
African Police Service.
2016
MARCH
25