WildLife Group
of the SAVA
Only use Trovan micro-chips.
• Micro-chips are purchased and issued centrally, a
Central Data Base records where the chips issued
and applied.
• Only use approved micro-chip scanner, care must
be taken to secure these scanners as they can be
used for illicit purposes.
Horn tips, and horns recovered by game capture
• Rhinoceros horn tips removed during game
capture operations must be collected, labelled
and stored in the same manner as prescribed for
rhinoceros shavings.
• Game capture unit must maintain their own
records.
• Rhinoceros horns dislodged during game capture,
and whilst the animal is still in the protected
area, must be returned to the Conservation
Manager.
• Rhinoceros horns dislodged whilst in transit must
be collected, labelled and stored as described in
this operating procedure, unless the rhinoceros
was purchased. In this case the horn is issued to
the owner.
Horns used in exhibits
• Horns recovered/confiscated as a result of a
law enforcement intervention must be entered
into the relevant SAPS register as an exhibit. In
some instances the horns are issued to the state
(relevant protected area or investigating officer)
for safe keeping. Therefore two situations may
result, namely:
• Horns retained by the SAPS: upon completion
of the court case the horns may be issued to
the state. These horns must be entered into the
register following the procedures described in
this SOP. They must be clearly identified as illegal
in the register.
• Horns issued to EKZNW for safe keeping: these
horns must be stored separately and clearly
marked/labelled (placed in a cardboard box
with the relevant information attached). They
must not be tampered with in anyway. The
same procedure will apply once the court case is
concluded.
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Minimum equipment requirements
• The equipment listed below is the minimum
required to affect the standard operating
procedures for the management of rhinoceros
horn.
• Suitable strong room
• Rhinoceros register
• Inventory Voucher Book
• Scale (weigh to the nearest 100 gram)
• Tape measure (sewing type)
• Digital camera and blank CD’s for digital photo’s
• Microchips, scanner and transponder applicator
• Tags (black rhinoceros/white rhinoceros and
unknown)
• Wire/cable ties and seals to attach tags
• Cordless drill
• Sealable containers and labels for horn shavings
• Internal and external label to include to following
details:
• Tag
• Micro-chip
• Register entry date
• Scene of Crime grab kit
• Permanent marker pen
• Wood glue
• Diatomaceous earth
Auditing – auditing of the stock pile must be
undertaken by line management on a bi-annual
basis. The need for this audit must be factored into
the goal setting process. Audits may be undertaken
independently by internal and external auditors.