Planning to Dart a Rhino? Know What’s Legal and What’s Not

Some recent social media posts about so-called “green hunts” for rhinos have raised questions and some controversy.  The reason is that green hunts, where a hunting client shoots a rhino with a tranquilizer, are illegal in South Africa and have been for more than 10 years. Vita darting, however, is legal within some provinces, but must follow strict regulations.

The Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa (PHASA) recently issued a notice reminding hunting operators and hunting clients alike about the differences between these two opportunities and providing guidelines to ensure compliance with the law.

Vita-darting opportunities are those where a client shoots the animal with a dart loaded with a vitamin supplement injection under the guidance of a veterinarian. The veterinarian simultaneously shoots the animal with a tranquilizer. These “hunts” must be conducted as part of a necessary rhino management operation. They cannot be provided simply as a “hunting” opportunity.

A vita-dart experience simulates a hunter’s experience of stalking and shooting the rhino without killing the animal, and without using a scheduled substance such as a tranquilizing, narcotic, immobilizing, or other similar agent. It also provides funding for a necessary rhino management action without violating the South African Veterinary Council’s (SAVC) prohibition of veterinarians allowing hunters to immobilize a rhino under their guidance. This prohibition of green hunts is also in line with the Threatened or Protected Species (TOPS) Regulations, 2007, which have been made under the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004, ACT NO. 10 of 2004 (NEMBA).

Hunters planning to participate in a vita dart opportunity should ensure the following requirements are followed:

• A National NEMBA permit must be issued to the registered veterinarian who will immobilize or tranquilize the animal. Only a veterinarian registered with the SAVC can immobilize or tranquilize the rhino.

• Some provinces require a provincial permit be issued as well. The landowner should be able to produce one for your safari operator.

• Hunting clients can only use a dart with vitamins and must follow the veterinarian’s instructions and shoot in tandem.

• Rhinos may not be darted purely for the vitamins or the entertainment of the client. There must be a legitimate reason for management, veterinary, or scientific purposes, per Regulation 26(4) of the TOPS Regulations. The regulation specifies the circumstances under which a veterinarian may dart a TOPS listed animal.

• It is illegal for a veterinarian to dart a rhino without a permit.

If you participate in a vita dart experience and choose to share that experience with others, be sure to refer to it properly in order to avoid unnecessary scrutiny by authorities or others. The terms we use to describe opportunities for hunters to pursue game are important. Loosely calling something a green hunt, when it legally is not, can unnecessarily land you in hot water, whether legally or on social media.