WildLife Group of the SAVA
Standard operating procedures for rhinoceros horn stockpile management in KwaZulu-Natal – Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Background A process was started in 1999 to develop a standard procedure for the receipting and recording of rhinoceros horn recovered at Protected Area level . The system was adopted and is implemented at all protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal .
Procedure
• Recovery and transfers
• All horns recovered must be recorded and documented as follows :
• From Field to Section Ranger
• All field rangers and all staff based in rhinoceros reserves including contract workers to be instructed that ALL rhinoceros horns from natural or poached carcasses found in the field MUST be reported and handed in to their supervisor immediately ( within the same day ).
• Field Rangers recover horn from the carcass – informs Section Ranger .
• Patrol data must be collected and entered into the Patrol Management System or Cybertracker PDA .
• Natural death to be entered into a post-mortem database .
• Illegal death reported to Ezemvelo-KwaZulu- Natal Wildlife ( EKZNW ) Compliance database per template and a post-mortem database .
• Horn kept in firearm Outpost / Picket safe until transfer can be made to the Section Ranger
• Horn collected by Section Ranger or Officer in Charge , issue voucher given to Field Ranger
• Inventory Voucher book to contain 4 duplicate copies :
• Original to Field Ranger who recovered the horns
• Hard copy to be retained in Section Ranger Inventory Voucher Book
• Two copies to accompany the rhinoceros horn
From Section Ranger to Protected Area Head Quarters Section Ranger issues horns with accompanying : Inventory Voucher to the Protected Area Head Quarters
• Horn stock should be recorded in the rhinoceros horn register immediately when it is received from the field and the temporary weighing should be conducted and chipped as this may prevent misallocation of horn stock
• Horns entered in register with numbered pages .
From Protected Area Head Quarters to Ezemvelo- KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Head Quarters
• Arrangements to be made with EKZNW Head Quarters before transferring the horn – contact to be made telephonically ( not e-mail or other high risk methods ) and involve contact between the recipient and the handler .
• Inventory Voucher to accompany the horns , 2 copies per horn . Both copies signed , one remains at EKZNW Head Quarters , one is returned and filed at Protected Area Head Quarters .
• Rhinoceros horns to be transported in concealed containers , and discreetly packed in vehicle .
• The following minimum standards must be met when transporting horn :
• The driver must be armed with a pistol with at least two fully loaded magazines and the escort must be armed with a semi-automatic rifle with at least two fully loaded magazines . The driver and escort must have a cell-phone and / or radio communications with which they can request assistance . When available bullet resistant vests ( Level II soft armour with front ceramic plate for Level III ) should be worn .
• The vehicle may not be left unattended under any circumstances .
• The vehicle must be in a roadworthy condition .
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