South African gov't publishes revised plan for rhino conservation

The South African government on Thursday published a revised biodiversity management plan for rhino conservation, shifting toward a holistic, multi-pronged strategy to curb illegal poaching.



The revised Black and White Rhino Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) was officially published in the Government Gazette. This updated framework consolidates two separate policies, the Black Rhinoceros BMP (2013) and the White Rhinoceros BMP (2015), into a single, integrated tool for the next decade.



"The Black and White Rhino BMP provides a holistic strategic framework and detailed action plan to strengthen rhino conservation in South Africa, while also supporting collaboration with relevant range states," said Willie Aucamp, minister of forestry, fisheries and the environment.