50 YEARS OF CONSERVATION IN SWAZILAND

50 YEARS OF CONSERVATION IN SWAZILAND

1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010sBefore Formal Conservation

Establishment of Conservation ethicRoyal Support; Mlilwane embarks on Nature Conservation;

Jezebel Days and Intense Game Capture; Strategic International Recognition

From rich hunting grounds to decimation of wildlife populations Advent of Agriculture

Mlilwane operates as a 460 ha productive farm and McCreedy’s tin mine

Wildlife populations build to viable proportions Commercial poaching syndicates emerge; Nguni Cattle Recognised;

Swaziland’s Rhino War begins

International Eco Tourism increasesSwaziland’s Rhino War escalates: Game Act Amended 1991; Poaching brought under control;

Conservation politics become public domain

Twin Priorities – securing land for conservation & environmental education Establishment of Park System for Swaziland – Swaziland National Trust Commission (SNTC Act) & 2 Government Reserves

Establishment of Mbuluzi Game Reserve (Private); Establishment of National Environmental Education Pogramme (NEEP) at Mlilwane Pure Nguni cattle conservation initiative

Promotion of private game farms Updated Environmental Laws; Swaziland Tourism Authority;

Integrated Work with Royal Swaziland Police & Prosecutors on transgressions of the Game Act; Some species populations reach surplus numbers and are exported to South Africa

Forging links with International Conservation Agencies and Donors Regional Rhino poaching crisis out of control – Swaziland loses her first rhinos to poaching in 20 years

Strengthening of security and extension of rhino range; Consolidation and clarification of national conservation mandatesIntegral work with Royal Swaziland Police and Interpol on regional Rhino Poaching crisis – various joint operations

1990 Petros Ngomane (4th) Rupert Foundation Gold Medal for outstanding achievements in Nature Conservation1991 Petros Ngomane survives second assassination attempt – a failed petrol bomb at Hlane 1992-1993 Most devastating of all droughts – 200 000 cattle died, game displaced at waterhole by relentless

insurgence of cattle1993 November – Jubela Reilly joins Ranger force full time1995 HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands presents Ted Reilly with the Golden Ark Award 1997 His Majesty King Mswati III becomes Patron of Big Game Parks Snow in Mbabane1998 HRH Prince Bernhard presents His Majesty King Mswati III with the Golden Ark Award Green Chert mining threatens Malolotja – His Majesty steps in to stop the mine proceeding Investiture of Ted Reilly to UNEP Roll Of Honour (Global 500)1999 HRH Prince Bernhard contributes land to Mkhaya for expanded range for elephant, rhino and other endangered

species Second Ranger death by poachers (Japhane Magagula)

1991 5 April - Opening of Bhubesi Camp by His Majesty King Mswati lll – SA High Commission’s contribution to Hlane 1994 SondzelaBackpackersopensonMlilwane–firstBackpackersinSwaziland1997 Opening of Sangweni at Mlilwane by His Majesty King Mswati lll1998 October-Reilly’sRockopenstothepublicasanupmarketlodge–HRHPrinceBernhardfirstguest Mlilwane allows self-guided walking trails; Tour Bus business grows through representation at international trade shows; Mkhaya Game Reserve launches Eco-Volunteer projects

2013 Nguni Cattle Breed Society recognised as the biggest in SA Aligned with SA, defending Kenya’s proposal to CITES against movement restrictions on rhino for

management reasons2014 12th July (celebrated 11th July) 50th Anniversary of Nature Conservation in Swaziland – attended by

His Majesty King Mswati lll

2012 Kirky’s Hide built at Mkhaya’s Stone Camp in memory of Howard Kirk Imvelo MTB Classic Community Project – Hlabazonke Community water system2014 Mlilwane development of day visitor facilities at the swimming pool & extension of Lontweni self-catering

huts 4-6; Upgrade of Sangweni entrance

2003 Petros Ngomane retires after 44 years as Chief Game Ranger2004 NGO attacks begin on BGP with malicious targeted survey Ranger death by poachers (Richard Lonjweleza Dlamini)2005 Collaboration with international Zoos Dream for Africa proposal threatens Swaziland conservation areas (wolf in sheeps clothing)2007 Planting of Petros’ Tree at Mlilwane2008 Swazi Kids community projects – supplying water to drought-stricken areas near Mkhaya 2000’s Perimeter fencing of Hlane Royal National Park Mkhaya purchases title deed land at commercial rates Hlane land swap – extreme north goes to sugar

2000 First Ngulube MTB Classic, with Rotary Club of Mbabane, Nedbank: Self-guided MTB on Mlilwane Bhubesi Camp increased to 6 units at Hlane2003 Chubeka Trails formed under Mlilwane2004 Imvelo MTB Classic replaces Ngulube MTB Classic - Hlabazonke community projects, Nedbank2005 Wisteria Camp opens at Hlane; Mlilwane extends Lotweni self-catering accommodation (Units 2 & 3)2009 August - Hlane’s restaurant opened by His Majesty King Mswati lll

1960s

THEME

ENVIRONMENTAL LAWS &

IMPLEMENTATION

PROTECTED AREAS & CONSERVATION

INITIATIVES

SPECIES REINTRODUCTION

& POPULATION DYNAMICS

ICONIC EVENTS

TOURISM DEVELOPMENTS

3.5 Million years ago: Fig Tree Series of the Swaziland System (earliest evidence of life on earth)

100 000 years ago: Earliest known record of Homo Sapiens (Border Cave, Lubombo Mountains) (Beaumont/Dart)

42 000 years ago: Ngwenya Iron Ore Mine - Oldest Mining Activity of Man (Beaumont/Dart)

1550 Swazis settle in Swaziland, country inhabited by San people 1840’s Arrival of white settlers in Swaziland1866 First attempt at Transvaal/Swaziland Border1888 Survey of Swaziland/Portuguese border1890 1st Convention of Swaziland; King Bhunu shown to his people1893 2nd Convention of Swaziland1894 3rd Convention of Swaziland1895 3rd Convention of Swaziland approved, Union Jack lowered

1959 Petros Ngomane joins Mlilwane, the foundation of the ranger force1961 WWF International is launched by Prince Bernhard and Sir Peter Scott Proposal for Swaziland constitution released1964 ChiefRangerPetrosNgomane’sfirstlifethreateningassaultbyapoacher Swaziland becomes a Protected Kingdom (Land Question Conference, London), 125th Member of United Nations

& Member of Commonwealth 1966 His Majesty, King Sobhuza II becomes Chief Patron of Mlilwane “Jezebel”,anAngliaSurvivalproduction,filmedbyHowardKirk1967 King Sobhuza ll appoints Reilly as Game Ranger and custodian for Hlane and Royal Advisor on wildlife DrRupertidentifieswithMlilwane,purchaseofNyonyaneEstateswiththeblessingofKingSobhuzaII Nkontsho Robert Vilane joins Ranger force Liz Reynolds (became Reilly 1969) attends WWF meeting, meets HRH Prince Bernhard and Sir Peter Scott

Introductory letter to Dr Rupert carried home1968 Swaziland regains independence from Britain SANatureFoundation(nowWWF-SA)isfoundedbyDrRupert,Mlilwaneisadoptedasitsveryfirstproject1969 HousesofParliamentofficiallyopened

Mlilwane’sRestCampHutsbuilt,firstBeehivesbuilt;Allactivitiesguidedorvehicle-bound–horseriding,gamedrives & Walks; Ad hoc guests; Dams and Bird Hide built

1974 Establishment of Central Bank of Swaziland1975 Willem Van Riet conducts Mlilwane Park planning (SANF)1976 Emalangeni Currency introduced in Swaziland1978 Tinkhundla System formally established1979 Private approach made by Reilly to Fitzpatrick-Niven family, Blue Jay Ranch (“Ndzindza”) donated to SNTC to

expand Mlawula

1983 Film produced with Howard Kirk entitled “Custodians” and “Imvelo Yakitsi” (Our Heritage)1984 Cyclone Demoina – devastating spread of alien vegetation1985 12 July – Mlilwane’s 21st birthday. Mlilwane Story, recording the History of Nature Conservation in Swaziland1986 Coronation of His Majesty, King Mswati III TedReillyreceivesthefirsteverRupertFoundationGoldMedalforoutstandingachievementsin

Nature Conservation King Sobuza ll Medal awarded to Ted Reilly1987 HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands presented Ted Reilly with Golden Ark Award1988 First ranger death by poachers (Benjamin Manyisa) Reilly resigns from SNTC Board after 17 years1989 Councellor of Royal Order of King Sobhuza ll – awarded to Ted Reilly by His Majesty King Mswati lll

Hippo Haunt Restaurant built (SNTC); All Activities still guided or vehicle-bound

Protection of Freshwater Fish

Act No 75 of 1937

Natural Resources Act

No.71/1951

Wildlife & Flora Act No 51 of 1953 (The Game Act)

Wild Birds Protection Act No 45 of 1914

Game Control Act No 37 of 1947

Private Forests Act No.3/1951

Flora Protection Act No 45

of 1952

1937 19531914 1947 1951 1952

Rinderpest (Cattle Plague)

outbreak – game decimated

Hunting Licences GBP1 per season – Immensely

rich & Diverse Wildlife

Wildebeest MassacreRoan antelope used in

soldier ration packs

Impala Express1000 carcasses

exported per week

1894 1906 1930s 1940s

Vermaak Concession

MLILWANE FARMAdvent of agriculture & McCreedy Tin Mine

1860 1930 – 1959

TedReillygazettedasSwaziland’sfirstGameRanger andasaForestOfficer

1965

British Government declines T.E.Reilly’s proposal for a National

Park System for Swaziland

Reilly Family agrees to convert Mlilwane farm to

a Game Sanctuary

Mlilwane proclaimed Swaziland’sfirstGame

Sanctuary and Forest Reserve

Proclamation of Hlane Royal

National Park

Mlilwane Game Sanctuary Trust established

for perpetuity

1959 1960 1966 1967 1969

Reintroductions BeginImpala; waterbuck; ostrich; kudu

Last roan antelope found in snare near Hlane (Tsambonkhulu Stream)

Warthog(locally extinct)

Giraffe(Transvaal,RSA)zebra, wildebeest, kudu

(Eastern Swaziland)

Hippopotamus“Somersault”

FirstgiraffecalfbornatMlilwane in 100 years

Blesbuck(Amsterdam, RSA)

Nyala(KZN, RSA)

White Rhino(Operation Rhino, KZN, RSA)

Eland (Northern Cape)

More White Rhino(Operation Rhino,

KZN, RSA)

1962 1964 1966 1968 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969

Work starts on composing the Swaziland National Trust Commission Act (SNTC Act)

– TE Reilly

SNTCActNo.9/1972ratifiedandfirstBoard appointed under the Deputy

Prime Minister’s portfolio

Major Ian Grimwood (under auspices of FAO) amends SNTC Act to accommodate

and safeguard Mlilwane and Hlane

1971 1972 1973

Mlilwane North purchased

and proclaimed

Malolotja Nature Reserve

established

Formation of National Environmental Education

Programme (NEEP) at Mlilwane

Mbuluzi Game Reserve set aside for nature conservation

(informal PA)

Malolotja Nature Reserve proclaimed

Mlilwane North proclaimed

First 1000 acres of Mkhaya purchased

Mlawula Nature Reserve proclaimed

Beginning of Environmental

Education programme

First Ngunis collected to save Swazi strain from extinction,

taken to Mlilwane

1st April, Mlilwane proclaimed as a Nature

Reserve under SNTC Act of 1972, as amended

Original National Protection Worthy

Areas Survey – T.E. & E.A. Reilly

1971 1975 1977 1979 1970 1974 1976 1978

Sable antelope to Mlilwane

SixbuffaloreleasedonMlilwane;four released on Malolotja

Wildebeest population crash (Hlane)

Winnie the Hippo arrives from Whipsnade Zoo, England (London Zoological Society, SAA)

1971 1976 1978 1979

Special Committee set up by His Majesty to monitor and produce counter measures for escalating

crime

Royal Warrants issued to BGP for game control and export/import; authorizing use of immobilants &

appointment of Rangers

Land purchased for Mlilwane at commercial rates – southern

boundary, Sondzela moves south

1987 1988 1999/2000

Mkhaya purchases additional land for Nguni project. Cattle move from

Mlilwane

Mkhaya proclaimed a Nature Reserve

SA Stud book recognises Nguni as a developing breed

MkhayaNgunisfirsteverregisteredNguni herd by direct SA Stud Book entry. Mkhaya motivate for Nguni

Breed Society

Nguni Breed Society formed Mkhaya Nguni only Stud Book registered

cattle for three yearsPhophonyane Nature Reserve opened to

public (informal PA)

Mkhaya applies to SA Stud book for recognition of Nguni breed

MlilwaneproclaimedaNatureReserve–first park proclaimed under SNTC Act.

Swaziland Irrigation Scheme (now IYSIS) dedicates land for conservation

(informal PA)

January – Ngwenya Glass Rhino Fund established by Prettejohn family

1981 1983 1989 1980 1982 1986

6 January – Return of the elephant;Tsessebe to Mkhaya

Second reintroduction of elephant to Hlane and Mkhaya;Black rhino to Mkhaya

Roan antelope to Mkhaya1988 -1992 – Rhino War

Swaziland lost nearly 80% of her rhinos during these four years

1986 1987 1988

Mantenga Nature Reserve proclaimed

29 April - Lubombo Conservancy launch – Dr Anton Rupert

Land purchase for Mlilwane – southern boundary, Sondzela

moves south

1994 1999 1999/2000

First rhino poached at Mkhaya during Rhino

War

Sable antelope to Mkhaya

Livingstone’s eland to Mkhaya

09 Feb – Lion return to Hlane, welcomed by His Majesty King Mswati llI

Second reintroduction of cheetah to Hlane

Red hartebeest to Mkhaya;First elephant calf born at

Mkhaya

Dehorning and confinementofHlane

rhinos to a high security area

December – last rhino poached

until 2011

His Majesty accepts culling policy for

population management

Final introduction of elephants to Hlane

and Mkhaya

Leopard reintroduced to Hlane;Six Black rhino to Mkhaya, sponsored by

Republic of China on Taiwan, British Government, Engen and others

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996

Game Amendment Act 1991 April – Big Bend Shoot out – the climax of the Rhino War – poaching subsequently brought under control

GameActtransferredtoKing’sOfficefrom Ministry of Tourism

Infamous ‘Brown Rhino Case’ resulting in amended Schedules to Game Amendment Act

New Game Amendment Act amended further;Non-Bailable Act & Section 8

Responsibility of Game Act, CITES and all International Conventions on wildlife delegated to Big Game Parks by Royal Warrant

1991 1992 1998

McIntyre arrested for rhino horn trafficking

Environmental Management

Act No.5/2002

McIntrye convicted of Horn trafficking–setsanumber

of legal precedents

NonBailableOffencesAct removed -

unconstitutional

2003

Swaziland’s second Protection Worthy Areas

Survey - Kim Roques

Botanical Garden / Endangered Species

developed on Mlilwane Hill

Down-listing of white rhino at CITES to allow trade and

genetic vitality

BCPD (Biodiversity Corridor Group)

project

Cologne Zoo Hippo & Crocodile Conservation

Project (BGP)

All Out Africa launch Volunteering

in Conservation and Community projects

Mlilwane North supplies water

to Ezulwini

2004 2009 2000 2001 2005

Oribi, vaal rhebok, suni, blue duiker to Mlilwane Hill;

Suni to Mkhaya

Vagrant lion & wild dog visit Hlane area

Passing of Swaziland’s firstgiraffecalf–

37 years

Elephant vasectomy at Hlane & Mkhaya (Disney World and

San Deigo Zoo)

Wild lion through northern Swaziland from SA via

Mozambique

Red hartebeest, red duiker, waterbuck, mountain reedbuck, roan antelope,

steenbuck, klipspringer

Elephant export to USA –San Deigo & Lowry Park Zoos

Roan antelope to Mlilwane (Czech

Republic)

2 elephant from Mozambique to Pigg’s Peak and return

through Hlane

2005 2008 2003 2004 2006 2009 2010

Law suits against rangers - law enforcement increased

Various Joint operations with RSP and Interpol –

Wildlife Crime Prevention

Parliamentary Inquiry into Ranger Brutality,

subsequently withdrawn

MOU signed between BGP & SNTC clarifying

mandates

2010s 2010s 2011 2014

Swaziland Game Ranchers Association created

2011

Swaziland participates in regional metapopulation management programmes

for genetic diversity (including rhino)

6 June – First White rhino cow lost to poaching in 20 years (calf lost to premature weaning & stress); 5 arrested;

27 September – lost second White rhino cow to poaching (pregnant)

Ground hornbill reintroduced to Mlilwane

March – rhino bull poached at Mkhaya (firstin22years)

Wild lion through northern Swaziland from SA via Mozambique;

Vagrant ground hornbill sited on Mlilwane

2 sable bulls purchased for genetics; Elephant cow & calf from Mozambique to Pigg’s Peak and return through Hlane

Game introductions to Usuthu Gorge Transfrontier Park on SA side from Hlane & Mkhaya - nyala,

impala, wildebeest, zebra, kudu

2010s 2012 2011 2013 2014

The Environment Audit, Assessment and Review

Regulations 31/2000

The Flora Protection Act No.10/2001

Establishment of SEA (Swaziland Environmental

Authority)

The Kingdom of Swaziland Constitution

Act No.1/2005

2000 2001 2002 2005