South Africa's CITES Quota Explained | Mpho Tjiane

South Africa’s leopard, rhino, and elephant quota fight is about more than numbers—it’s a battle over science, procedure, and who gets to decide what happens next. Former CITES deputy director Mpho Tjiane breaks down the real story behind the 2026–2027 quota release and why this debate has kept stalling for years.

For anyone trying to understand why export quotas for Elephants, Black Rhinos, and Leopards are so contested, this conversation cuts through the noise. Mpho explains how CITES works, why Elephants are handled as a national quota while Black Rhinos and Leopards follow different international rules, and how South Africa moved from a system with no public consultation to a legally required consultation process.

In this episode, you’ll discover:
Why quota decisions are driven primarily by scientific data, not personal opinion
How a court case over lion bones changed the rules for hunting quotas
Why black rhino hunting is treated as an individual-animal approval process
How leopard quotas depend on long-term monitoring rather than isolated sightings
Why KwaZulu-Natal lost a leopard in the latest allocation
What Safari Club International Foundation is doing to expand leopard monitoring
How provincial and national authorities work together to determine quotas
Why legal challenges have repeatedly delayed final decisions
Mpho also explains the legal and scientific processes behind quota allocation, the importance of public comments, and the economic consequences for landowners, professional hunters, and South Africa’s conservation sector.

Robbie Kroger asks the difficult questions: are these challenges based on genuine scientific concerns, or are procedural arguments being used to delay hunting and prevent quotas from being implemented?
If you care about conservation policy, hunting, landowner economics, or the future of wildlife management in South Africa, this episode provides the context you need. It’s essential listening for anyone who wants to understand the story behind one of the region’s most closely watched quota decisions.

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Special thanks to:
• Mpho Tjiane

Video Chapters:
[00:00] Why South Africa’s Hunting Quotas Are Controversial
[02:17] Safari Club International’s Role in Africa
[05:04] CITES Hunting Quotas Explained
[10:36] How South Africa’s Quota Crisis Started
[18:14] 2026–2027 Hunting Quota Numbers Explained
[24:19] Why Leopard Quotas Are So Difficult
[28:47] Will South Africa’s Hunting Quotas Face Litigation?
[32:33] The Economic Impact of Hunting Restrictions

About:
Origins Foundation is a global storytelling initiative dedicated to promoting the truth about hunting and conservation. Founded by Dr. Robbie Kröger, Origins Foundation seeks to bridge the divide between hunters and non-hunters by sharing authentic stories that showcase the role of ethical hunting in wildlife management, habitat preservation, and community empowerment. By fostering meaningful conversations and dispelling misconceptions, Origins Foundation ensures that hunting remains a respected and vital conservation tool.

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