Nguni Cattle, Rhino Conservation, Anti-poaching

NATIONAL ROLE

Mandate

The Game Act and CITES are officially positioned under the office and portfolio of the Head of State, giving wildlife elevated status in the Kingdom. The Head of State has delegated the administration and responsibility of the Game Act to Big Game Parks through the King's Office, whose mandate includes permitting, representing Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) on wildlife issues, CITES and law enforcement. All of this is funded from the self-generated revenues of Big Game Parks, making it essential for this institution to be self-sustaining.

Brief History of Environmental Legislation

The colonial government established various environmental laws in the mid-1900's, some of which have been updated from time to time. The responsibility for environmental legislation rests with the Ministries of Tourism & Environment and Agriculture. In 1990, amid Eswatini 's Rhino War (1988-1992), King Mswati lll ordered a new draft of the Game Act. The draft included advice from other countries and experts in the field, and finally it was submitted to the King, with extensive explanation. From there, it was taken to the Minister of Agriculture to proceed through the system as a matter of urgency.

More than a year followed while the draft stuck in Parliament, until in desperation, Reilly loaded yet another poached rhino's carcass and delivered it to the King. The reaction was the draft being expedited.

The Game Act was eventually removed from the Ministry of Tourism and placed in the King's Office and, in an unprecedented move, the administration thereof was delegated to Big Game Parks based on track record. This is an incredible honour, and a tight rope. Big Game Parks recognizes the sensitivities and the need for integrity in all matters of administration.

Game Act (1953 as Amended)

The Game Act (1953 as Amended) applies to all wildlife in Eswatini . It relates to 3 different schedules – Common Game, Royal Game and Specially Protected Game.

The Game Act is often referred to as draconian, but it works and the harsh elements are the result of hard lessons learnt. Salient points of the Game Act Amended include:

First Schedule – Specially Protected Game (rhino, elephant, lion) – 5 years minimum mandatory imprisonment, without the option of a fine PLUS replacement of the animal taken or its value compensated, failing which an additional 2 years imprisonment;
Second Schedule – Royal Game - Mandatory minimum sentence of E4000,00 or 2 years imprisonment, PLUS replacement of the animal taken or its value compensated, with provision that the fine imposed may not be less than the value of the animal taken;
Third Schedule – Common Game – Minimum of E600,00 or 6 months imprisonment, PLUS replacement value of the animal taken;
Values of each species are gazetted for each Schedule;
Section 28 reads – “No sentence or part of any sentence may be suspended by court” and “No vehicle, gun or other apparatus can be released by court unless the accused is acquitted”
Mandatory minimum prison sentence of 12 months without the option of a fine for any official convicted of defeating the ends of justice;
Rangers may search and arrest without a warrant; may use all force necessary to affect arrest; may bear arms and use them in life-threatening circumstances; and in doing any of the above in the course of duty, rangers are immune to prosecution;
Non-Bailable Offences Act – Offenders of First & Second Schedule of the Game Act may not be granted bail by the court. (The Non-Bailable Offences Act has since been deemed unconstitutional and removed from laws in Eswatini.)

Schedules

Schedule 1 – Specially Protected Game (PDF link)

Schedule 2 – Royal Game (PDF link)

Schedule 3 – Common Game (PDF link)

Flora is governed by the Flora Act implemented by SNTC.

Cities

Eswatini is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species, and thereby bound by the convention. Cross-border trade and movement of wildlife and wildlife products are governed by the relevant CITES species appendixes.

cites.org

Permitting Requirements

Permits are required from Big Game Parks for any hunting, harvesting, import, export, translocation, moving, confinement, capture and possession of wildlife or CITES products within Eswatini.

As per the Game Act, Permits are required for:

All movements of scheduled species or parts thereof to destinations within Eswatini, or being exported from, or being imported into, Eswatini;
All carcases or parts thereof, of scheduled species being translocated to destinations within Eswatini;
The capture and conveyance of live scheduled species between destinations;
The hunting, culling and possession of scheduled species or parts thereof, within Eswatini;
The keeping of scheduled species in captive circumstances;
Accredited game capture operators to operate in Eswatini
Any scheduled species or products thereof being transited through Eswatini

As per the provision of CITES (Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora), Permits are required for:

All species of fauna and flora, all products thereof from all areas of the world, which are listed in the CITES appendices, which are either imported into Eswatini or exported out of Eswatini, or transited through Eswatini.

Please note additional valid permits may be required from relevant countries.

Hunting Season (01 May to 31 August)

The Game Act allows landowners to hunt Schedule lll species (Common Game) during season without a permit on their land.

Permitting Procedure

Complete the relevant Permit Application Form below
Collate Evidence of Providence (proof of legal possession by origin, possession or import as applicable.)
Obtain written authority of landowners as applicable.
Email the above to conservationhq@biggameparks.org for consideration
Await authorization and notification of permit status
Seek reciprocal permits as required for export/import from the other country including:
1. Veterinary
2. Nature Conservation of national authority body
3. CITES
4. Collect permit from Big Game Parks Headquarters, Malkerns or arrange courier

Application Forms:

Game Act & CITES Import, Export, Translocate, Transit, Move, Confine or Capture Game or Game Products Permit

Download Form

Problem Game Animal Control Permit

Download Form

Capture, Translocate, Move, Confine, Possession of Game or Game Product within Eswatini Permit

Download Form

Hunt or Cull Game Permit

Download Form

Please note: further clarification and information may be requested before permits are issued.

HISTORY OF CONSERVATION IN SWAZILAND

Introduction

In the beginning, it is easy to identify the theme of each decade, but as conservation matures, this becomes more difficult.

Pre 1960's From rich hunting grounds to decimation of wildlife Populations

At the turn of the last century, the Eswatini lowveld (east) was considered a rich hunting ground, providing wagonloads of meat for the growing mining industry in Jo'berg. Amazingly, legislation was developed for the protection of various aspects of the wildlife and environmental heritage between 1914 and 1953. The first protected area was established in 1860, but discarded for British soldier settlement after the World War 1. Eswatini then succumbed to the “taming of the land” attitude of colonial rule, and wildlife paid the price.

1960's Establishment of Conservation Ethic

At the age of 21 years, Ted Reilly proposed the British Government establish a National Park System for Eswatini, but this was declined on the grounds that Swazis could visit Kruger to the north, or Hluhluwe to the South. Reilly refused to accept this and approached King Sobhuza ll, who gave full support, seeing the value of national heritage.

Reilly converted his own farm, establishing Swaziland's pioneer park Mlilwane Wildlife Sanctuary, and Hlane Royal National Park soon after. Strategic relations began with Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, Dr Anton Rupert and WWF, creating long-term friendships. The 1960's was a time of establishment, reintroductions and foundation relationships. Eswatini regained her independence from Britain in 1968.

1970's Twin Priorities – Secure Conservation Land base and Environmental Education

Having established two conservation areas, it was time to establish Reilly's dream of a park system. The formidable 2-man team of Ted & Liz Reilly realized Eswatini's original Protection Worthy Areas Survey and successfully motivated the creation of Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC - now ENTC)

Reilly identified twin priorities – secure conservation land and educate the nation. 4 conservation areas were established, 2 private and 2 government, along with the National Environmental Education Programme (NEEP), based at Mlilwane. Intensive education was engaged over Swazi Radio reaching all corners of the country. The Nguni conservation project was adopted, saving this breed from the brink of extinction thanks to King Sobhuza ll.

1980's Building viable wildlife populations, establishing anti-poaching team

More land comes under conservation, with resident populations growing well, enhanced by additional game reintroductions. While international support grows, local politics play devil with conservation agencies. Reilly leaves SNTC after 17 years and concentrates on parks under his direct management.

In 1988 Commercial rhino poaching hits Eswatini, reducing the national numbers by 70-80% in 4 short years.

1990's International Eco Tourism increases

Eswatini's Rhino War reaches climax, resulting in the amendment of the Game Act, which together with strong implementation, brings an end to the rhino war. The Game Act is transferred to the King's Office and conservation politics become public domain.

While conservation becomes politically explosive, eco tourism surges through extended marketing efforts and Big Game Parks intensifies her forerunner role in eco-tourism with associated increase in private investment and development of tourism product. Big Game Parks name was adopted for marketing purposes.

2000's Promotion of Private Game Farms

Eswatini's conservation and tourism sectors mature and grow, with implementation of legislation and establishment of parastatal Authorities. Groundwork is done to promote Game Farming as a viable land use, with great success.

Conservation law enforcement intensifies and very positive relationships develop with relevant law enforcement agencies locally and regionally. More Endangered species projects are established resulting in highly productive collaboration with international zoos. Eswatini receives numerous wildlife visitors from across the border, creating much excitement.

Eco-tourism developments and implementation of internal tourism standards bring Big Game Parks in line with regional tourism offering.

2010's Forging Links with International Conservation Agencies & Donors

Conservation and humanitarian politics begin to threaten the effectiveness of ranger force and undermine the Game Act. Genetic management of wildlife populations intensifies, with extension of game farming and the establishment of the Eswatini Game Ranchers Association. Rhino poaching reaches crisis proportions in Southern Africa, while Eswatini holds the record for lowest poaching losses.

Problem animal control pressures increase as human population expands and wildlife habitat diminishes. National Conservation takes on a more formal and bureaucratic character.

Reilly and Big Game Parks step back from the bureaucracy while maintaining the administration of the Game Act.

Download History PDF

BIO DIVERSITY

Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) is a tiny country, smaller than the Kruger National Park, yet it is blessed with 4 geo-regions including Highveld, middleveld, lowveld and the unique Lebombo Mountains. We have more bird species than Kruger (500). Each of our parks sports well over 200 bird species. Big Game Parks manages parks in each of these areas, offering incredible diversity of habitat and tourism experience.

Biodiversity has become a buzzword in conservation circles in recent times, but in the 1960's when Ted Reilly began his conservation dream, all that was evident was that Eswatini had lost her rich wildlife heritage to exploitation and extermination in the name of advancement. Habitat loss is of real concern in our small Kingdom, which naturally has an incredibly diverse ecology.

Throughout our very brief 50-year exposure to the realities of nature, Big Game Parks' aim has been to safeguard environments and re-establish species in Eswatini. Eswatini has 2 broad biomes, Savanna & Grassland, with small areas of thicket and forest. The mountainous west has temperatures ranging from sub-zero on winter nights to summer daytime temperatures of 30+ deg Celsius, altitude 660-1800m asl (above sea level), annual rainfall over 1200. This area is largely grassland, and Mlilwane falls into this category.

The eastern lowlands are typically savanna – temperatures can drop to about 0 deg on cold winter nights in depressions, but daytime temperatures range between 20-45 deg Celsius, altitude 200-300m asl, annual rainfall 235-1000mm. Both Hlane and Mkhaya fall into this biome. Within these broad biomes, each park has their own habitat variations. Habitats are dynamic and modified by chosen land use.

Since 1960, 22 species of larger game have been reintroduced to Eswatini, all of which had gone locally extinct. These species are broad spectrum, from common game to endangered species, including Eswatini's Royal Symbols, the lion and elephant.

Eswatini has survived an onslaught of poaching and trafficking of species which severely threatened biodiversity. From subsistence poaching to commercial horn poaching, with commercial meat poaching and illegal export of thousands of wild birds in between, along with heavy-handed mineral and agricultural deals, our small country has seen the dark side and valiantly stood its ground in maintaining biodiversity.

Protection Worthy Areas Survey of 1979

Ted & Liz Reilly initiated and conducted the Protection Worthy Areas Survey of 1979 in order to record the status quo. This document was intensive and led to the protection of 6 formal conservation areas in Eswatini. It has also formed the basis of more recent studies. Of XX areas suggested, only 6 were legally protected, although there is a recent renewed effort by the Swazi Government to extend land under conservation.

Iconic Species

Certain species have played an ‘iconic' role in the history of Big Game Parks. They may not make the typical line up for other countries, but in some way or form, they have contributed enormously to the progression of conservation in Eswatini, or are significant in some unique way and therefore require their story is told. Among these are Lion, Elephant, Rhino, Roan Antelope, Nguni and Vultures.

Mammals

Big Game Parks suggests that our organization focuses on the larger mammal species. Mammals are notoriously more popular with the general park visitor than other classes, hence the name. Interestingly, the species count under mammals is generally much lower than other animal classes. The species listed are those most likely to be seen. The smaller mammals such as rodents are not listed but do exist.

Big Game Parks Mammal Species List