Rhino horn poaching in Africa is at an all-time high. The recent wave of rhino poaching (up 3,346% since 2007) has erased decades of gains in African rhino conservation efforts, and put rhinos on the fast track to extinction. At one point, hundreds of thousands of black and white rhinos roamed the African continent, but now numbers for both species are near 25,000.
Where is the demand for rhino horn coming from, and why?
If you read my post, One Happy Rhino, you will know about my recent perception changing close encounter
with a rhino prompting me to learn more about its species.
What I found out is many of the ‘facts’ I knew to be true about rhino poaching are just plain wrong.
New information debunks widespread common beliefs about rhino poaching and the use of rhino horn
Here’s what I’ve learned:
–False belief #1:
China is the biggest importer of rhino horn, creating and continuing to drive the
demand for poaching.
New Rhino Fact–The final destination for the majority of rhino horn poached in Africa is Vietnam and Indonesia.
–False belief #2:
Rhino Horn is considered to be an aphrodisiac.
New Rhino Fact– Rhino horn is now used as a cancer cure, and as an antidote for
the hangovers of excess living (too much rich food, alcohol and drugs). No medicinal use for rhino horn
has been scientifically validated.
As you will learn next, rhino horns as medicine is being replaced by a new practice.
– False belief #3:
The majority of rhinoceros horn is used in traditional oriental medicine.
New Rhino Fact–The richest Asians (including government officials) give rhino horns for bribes and gifts. Horns from rhinos have become so expensive only the wealthiest people can afford the product, increasing its allure, and making it less practical for medicinal purposes.
– False belief #4:
Dehorning rhinos before the poachers do is one viable solution to rhino poaching.
New Rhino Fact–The most expensive part of the rhinos horn is the part closest to the face, making a mostly dehorned rhinoceros still vulnerable to poachers.
baby standing vigil with poached mother
–False belief #5:
We are loosing at rhino conservation efforts worldwide.
New Rhino Fact–Despite the fact that horns from Asian rhinos are twice the price of African rhino horn, there has been almost no poaching of rhinos in India and Nepal since 2007. Their governments’ efforts – high budgets for conservation, involving villagers living near rhinos, and stringent penalties for convicted poachers – are working. There are also countries in Africa such as Uganda and Namibia, which have been successful at protecting their rhinos. These success stories could act as models for other countries still loosing the rhino poaching battle.
Source: December Swara Magazine
The last point I want to share with you is crucial to understanding the complexities of the rhino poaching issue. The poachers, traffickers, dealers and consumers involved in the rhino poaching syndicate have NO emotional feeling for rhinos except monetary. People don’t generally care for things they know nothing about and have no positive experience with.
Here at AfricaInside.org the goal is to inspire people to care about wildlife. We do that through education and experience. Sending people who have never seen a rhinoceros or lion into Africa’s National Parks to experience and learn about wildlife inspires an emotional investment. Our programs are game changers for wildlife conservation and I hope you will take a moment to see why, and get involved with us…
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Did you learn anything new about rhino poaching? What was the most surprising?
From the time of my first trip to Africa on assignment as a fashion model in 1984, to my recent role as Africa Adventures Specialist for the Jane Goodall Institute, I've traveled to or lived in eleven African countries. Deepening my life long passion to nature and animals happens easily in Africa, but Africa remains 
9 comments
Shara says:
Jan 28, 2013
Oh my god, that photo of the baby is intolerably heart-wrenching. #5 prompted me to look into the plight of the Asian rhinos; I only really knew about African rhinos before.
Lori says:
Jan 30, 2013
Hi Shara, Yes there is so much information about Africa Rhinos but rhinos are found in India and Nepal and I find it so encouraging to know that there they are doing things right to protect the rhino. We all have a lot to learn. I hope the post is helpful to educate us all.
Thanks for your comments.
Cosmas says:
Mar 3, 2013
For sure the story is contented, and let the ideal spread all over the world to protect rhino poaching. Working as a team will help to stop rhino poaching. They can‘t speak but rather show feelings and actions. They could have a word to the world if they could have given ability to do so. Let us speak on behalf. Good story Lori! for l learnt a lot.
Lori says:
Mar 3, 2013
Nice to see you here Cosmas from Arusha. Yes, if animals could talk, what they would tell us about how we are treating them, and what they think of us… Glad you learned a lot and I hope you will help spread the article so others may learn as well. Thanks!
Rick says:
Apr 4, 2013
Poaching will definitely wipe out this species within a few years. The only way to stop this, is to declare rhino species as a national treasure in every country that has these animals.. our conservation group have studied many options, and the only solution is to elevate poaching as crimes against the nation, and against the international community. The penalty would vary, from life imprisonment, to death, for the destruction, theft, killing, smuggling of this species, or any part of it. A citizen of any country would become liable to the international community of the United Nations and if they are diplomats caught in the act, they shall lose that privilege to be exempt from criminal prosecution.
jaffery says:
Apr 6, 2013
Thank lori for keeping updating us who are SAFARI GUIDE i love the infos and i will spread the information
Lori says:
Apr 8, 2013
HI Rick, thank your for commenting so clearly about what needs to be done. I know many people are in agreement with what you say as a solution. We need the governments to all get on board before it is too late.
Glad to hear from you.
Lori says:
Apr 8, 2013
Nice to hear from you Jaffery and for commenting on behalf of Safari Guides everywhere. I am glad you learned something because the aim here at Africa Inside is to ignite peoples passions to protect wildlife and wild places in Africa and everywhere else.
Thanks for commenting, great to hear from you.
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