Rhino populations in general are in decline, in large part due to poaching. In recent years, rhino populations had somewhat recovered in places such as Zimbabwe and Nepal. Nepal is one country where poaching laws have made a vast difference. However, a study has shown that poaching of rhinos overall is now on the rise.
Traffic, a wildlife trade monitoring network, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) performed the study. The study is intended to make a difference at the upcoming March meeting of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
The collected data concluded that approximately 95 percent of all poaching of rhinos between 2006 and 2009 has occurred in South Africa and Zimbabwe. During this time frame, 210 rhinos were killed in South Africa, while 235 rhinos were killed in Zimbabwe.
The main reasons behind poaching increases appear to be due to the lack of law enforcement and increasing demands for rhino horns in Asia to be used in medicines. Rhino horn trading is on the rise in South Africa, even with laws in place against it.
In addition, in Zimbabwe only 3 percent of rhino poachers are convicted. Poachers are also increasing the sophistication of their methods, including using veterinary medicines in order to kill the rhinos.
Director of WWF International’s species program, Amanda Nickson, stated: “Concerted action at the highest level is needed to stop this global crisis of rampant rhino poaching. We call on the countries of concern to come in March with specific actions they have undertaken to show their commitment to stopping this poaching and protecting rhinos in the wild.”
