The KZN Nature Conservation Board (of Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife
(EKZNW)) invited public comments by Public Notice during August
2006 in the Natal Mercury and Ilanga newspapers. In those Notices
the Board indicated its intent to adopt Policy, Norms and Standards
for the management of ex situ wild animals and of primates in the
province of KwaZulu-Natal. These statements in those Notices were
erroneous as the Board does not have the power to adopt policies
but is, inter alia, enjoined to investigate, amongst others, legislation
and policies pertaining to the function of nature conservation and
to make recommendations thereon to the MEC and to adopt norms and
standards relating to policies. In order to avoid any prejudice
as a result of the erroneous Notice the Board requests the public
to disregard that Notice and hereby gives Notice as set out below.
The Board intends submitting recommendations concerning the management
of (A) ex situ and problem primates and (B) ex situ wild animals
in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) to the KZN MEC of Agriculture and Environmental
Affairs, in terms of provisions of the KwaZulu-Natal Nature Conservation
Management Act 9 of 1997. Further, the Board intends in due course
to adopt Norms and Standards pertaining to these recommendations,
in terms of Section 5 (3) of this Act.
Interested and affected parties and stakeholders are invited to
submit written comment to EKZNW on both the primate and ex situ
animal draft recommendations prior to them being finalised for submission
to the MEC as well as on the revised draft Norms and Standards.
A. PRIMATE MANAGEMENT
In August 2006 EKZNW published draft documents on the management
of ex situ and problem primates for public comment after three years
of investigations and consultation with key stakeholders and other
provincial agencies. A public meeting took place in September 2006.
An additional stakeholder workshop was held in November 2006 to
consult on specific areas of primate use. The draft documents have
been revised, taking into account all comments received and information
obtained, resulting in:
1. Draft Recommendation to the MEC concerning the management
of ex situ and problem primates in KwaZulu-Natal
2. Revised draft Norms and Standards for permitting and registration
of Primate Centres in KwaZulu-Natal
3. Revised draft Norms and Standards for care and management
of ex situ vervet monkeys in KwaZulu-Natal
The purpose for preparing a recommendation to the MEC concerning
management of primates is to ensure that management approaches for
dealing with primates that a) come into conflict with humans, or
b) are held in captivity for any reason, are consistent, protect
biodiversity, and are ethical and humane. These documents pertain
to all 5 species of primates that occur in South Africa (chacma
baboons, vervet and samango monkeys and two species of bushbaby)
as well as exotic primate species. They aim to promote inter-agency
and NGO co-operation, and to prevent activities that pose risks
for conservation of indigenous primate species (e.g. disease transmission).
They provide enabling mechanisms for responsible rehabilitation
and sanctuary efforts and the keeping in captivity of primates for
conservation breeding, research and awareness. They also intend
to ensure that appropriate standards are in place, and due care
is exercised in the issuing of permits, to prevent cruelty or neglect
of primates in captivity. Primates are highly social, intelligent
and sentient animals and have special needs when kept in captivity
(including appropriate social contact, environmental enrichment
and specific dietary requirements).
These 3 draft primate documents will be available for comment from
30 June 2007, and all comments must be made in writing by 31 July
2007. All comments received will then be taken into account in finalising
the recommendation to be submitted to the MEC, and in due course
the Norms and Standards for adoption by the Board.
B. EX SITU WILD ANIMAL MANAGEMENT
The draft document that was provided for public comment in August
2006, and discussed at a public meeting in September 2006, has been
reviewed and revised taking into account all comments received and
information obtained. This has resulted in the preparation of a
draft Recommendation to the MEC that will be made available from
30 June 2007 for public comment, and all comments should be submitted
in writing by 30 September 2007:
Draft Recommendation to the MEC concerning the management of ex
situ wild animals in KwaZulu-Natal In addition, interested and affected
parties will be invited to attend a Stakeholder Workshop (in August/September)
to discuss this draft Recommendation, and to identify key areas
where Norms and Standards for ex situ wild animal management may
be needed (e.g. for keeping mammals, birds, and reptiles in captivity).
It is intended that Stakeholder Workshops will be held in October-December
to initiate the development of sector/taxa-specific Norms and Standards.
All comments received will then be taken into account in finalising
the Recommendation for submission to the MEC. It is intended that
the recommendation will be submitted to the MEC thereafter, and
that in due course the Board will act to adopt Norms and Standards
for aspects of ex situ wild animal management.
The purpose for preparing a recommendation to the MEC is to achieve
a framework and guidelines for decisionmaking with regard to the
issue of permits and to set appropriate standards for the keeping
of wild animals in captivity. The influence of the Norms and Standards
would be limited to those species provided for in biodiversity and
conservation legislation. It is recognised that keeping of wild
animals in captivity can contribute significantly to conservation
of species e.g. breeding, rehabilitation and sanctuaries for endangered
species and conservation awareness programmes. However in many cases
the value of keeping wild animals in captivity and/or breeding them
is of little value to conservation, and can represent significant
risk to conservation of the species in the wild, and can lead to
neglect and animal welfare problems. Some of the key problems and
challenges that this recommendation intends to address are: inconsistent
approaches and lack of standards for keeping and handling of wild
animals in captivity, unwise translocations and releases, accumulations
of animals in captivity, genetic pollution and disease transmission
to wild-living populations, sub-standard animal husbandry, and diverse
and divided role-players and stakeholders. The issues are complex,
and a risk-assessment approach is proposed in order to take implications
for biodiversity conservation, animal welfare, effective governance
and societal values into account.
How to obtain the draft documents and to submit comment
These documents will be available for viewing on the EKZNW website
www.kznwildlife.com (select
the 'Public Comment' tab), and at Reception of EKZNW offices in
Pietermaritzburg and Durban. They will be available from the 30
June 2007.
All comments must be submitted in writing by due date (i.e. 31
July 2007 for draft primate recommendation and Norms and Standards,
and 30 September 2007 for draft ex situ recommendation), for Attention:
GM:Conservation Planning: by email to Public_Comment@kznwildlife.com
or posted to: PO Box 13053 Cascades 3202.
Enquiries should be directed to Mrs Gerda de Jager: Tel: 033-8451470
or dejager@kznwildlife.com
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