US Citizen Arrested For Operating Grizzly South African Rhino “Slaughterhouse”

• Thomas Nelson
• December 29, 2023
• Animals
• 0 Comments

The South African Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, also known as The Hawks, arrested Derek Lewitton, a 53-year-old US national from Texas, for operating what’s being dubbed a “rhino slaughterhouse” near Gravelotte, Limpopo, South Africa.

On December 22nd, shortly before midnight, Lewitton was arrested following an extensive, 16-hour investigation of the Harmony game farm. That investigation uncovered 10 unmarked rhino horns locked away in a safe. In South Africa, any rhino horns require specific documentation, of which none of these discovered horns had.

A grizzly discovery

The investigation also unearthed the carcasses of 26 rhinos with missing horns that had been slaughtered on the farm. South African law dictates that, even if a rhino is found dead in the wild, individuals must refrain from removing the horn. Individuals are required to report the body to the South African Police Service.

Lewitton, a Texas-born US citizen and advocate for legalizing rhino horn trade through his writings and his role with the IWMC Wildlife Conservation Trust, is now accused of violating these wildlife protection laws.

Lewitton is an active, if controversial figure in the rhino conservation world. In a 2021 interview with Aljazeera, he highlighted the financial struggles of private landowners who protect half of South Africa’s rhinos. He pointed out their high costs and advocated for legal horn trade as a means to support conservation efforts.

“The families engaged in this crucial work are running low on funds. Without legal horn trade, they desperately need alternative ways to finance their efforts and sustain their operations,” he said.

A broader crackdown

This arrest of Lewitton was a part of a broader crime reduction effort in South Africa, which led to over 835 suspects being detained for various serious offenses, including rhino poaching.

This extensive operation, which saw collaboration among multiple law enforcement agencies, contributed to a notable decrease in different types of crime. It also resulted in the seizure of unlawful items, drugs, and species that are endangered.

The individuals apprehended during this operation are expected to be presented in court in the near future.

Rhinos on the brink

Despite the horrible discovery at Harmony game farm, as of 2023, the status of rhino populations in South Africa shows both positive developments and ongoing challenges. The country is home to the largest population of white rhinos in the world, as well as about half of the total black rhino population on the African continent. Current estimates indicate that there are approximately 2,056 black rhinos and 12,968 white rhinos in South Africa, making a total of more than 15,000 rhinos.

Despite these significant numbers, poaching remains the most significant threat to rhinos in South Africa. In the first half of 2023, there were 231 rhino deaths attributed to poaching, which represents an 11% decrease from the first half of 2022. However, this still means that at least one rhino is killed every day in the country. Poaching syndicates have increasingly targeted other state, provincial, and private reserves, especially in the KwaZulu-Natal province, due to significant population declines in places like the Kruger National Park and increased anti-poaching efforts.

On a continental scale, African rhino numbers are increasing despite the threat of poaching. By the end of 2022, there were 23,290 rhinos across Africa, a 5.2% increase from 2021. This growth is attributed to a combination of protection and biological management initiatives. Specifically, black rhino populations in Africa have risen to 6,487, a 4.2% increase from 2021, and white rhino numbers are around 16,803, marking the first increase in their population since 2012.

These figures are encouraging, but they also highlight the continued need for vigilant conservation efforts to protect rhinos from poaching and other threats. Initiatives such as community involvement, anti-poaching efforts, and translocation projects are essential in sustaining and growing rhino populations