Rhino horn craze drives prices to sky-high levels

Rhino horn is a valuable commodity on the black market, with prices reaching as high as $60,000 per kilogram. This is due to the mistaken belief among some people that the horn has medicinal properties. Rhino horn is composed of keratin, the same material that makes up human hair and nails, so there is no scientific basis for these beliefs.

The high prices have driven poaching levels to unprecedented heights. In South Africa, 1,215 rhinos were killed in 2013, and it is estimated that only 20,000-25,000 rhinos remain in the wild. The situation is even worse in countries such as Vietnam and China, where the demand for rhino horn is highest. As a result, populations of rhinos in these countries are at risk of extinction.

The global response to this crisis has been mixed. On one hand, there have been efforts to increase security at rhino sanctuaries and to crack down on illegal trade in rhino horn. On the other hand, there have also been efforts to legalize trade in rhino horn in order to meet the demand from consumers.

So far, the former approach has been more successful in saving rhinos from extinction. However, it is important to find a way to meet the demand for rhino horn without driving prices up to unsustainable levels or encouraging poaching. One possible solution would be to create a legal market for sustainably sourced rhino horn. This would allow consumers to buy horns legally while ensuring that profits from sales are reinvested in conservation efforts.

Rhinos on the brink of extinction as poaching epidemic continues

Rhinos are some of the most iconic animals on earth, but they are also some of the most endangered. A poaching epidemic has decimated rhino populations around the world, and without significant intervention they could become extinct within our lifetime.

The demand for rhino horn comes largely from China and Vietnam, where it is believed to have medicinal properties. As a result, rhinos are being killed at an alarming rate for their horns. In South Africa, for example, 1,215 rhinos were killed in 2013 alone.

This is not just a problem in South Africa, however. There are five species of rhinoceros and all five are endangered. The Javan Rhino is the most critically endangered, with only 50-60 animals remaining in the wild. The Black Rhino is listed as "vulnerable" by the IUCN, with around 4,800 animals remaining. The White Rhino is listed as "near threatened", while the Indian Rhino and Sumatran Rhino are both considered "endangered".

If current trends continue, it is very likely that all five species of rhinoceros will be extinct within our lifetime. This is a tragedy not only because these animals are fascinating and beloved creatures, but also because they play a vital role in their ecosystems. Rhinos help to maintain balance in their habitats by regulating plant growth and dispersing seeds through their dung.

There are many things we can do to help save rhinos from extinction. We can support organizations that work to protect them, we can discourage the purchase of products derived from rhino horn, and we can educate others about the dangers of poaching. We can also urge our political leaders to make conservation a priority and to allocate resources towards fighting wildlife crime.

It is not too late to save rhinos from extinction. If we work together we can make a difference and ensure that these amazing creatures will be around for generations to come.

Poachers kill rhino and cut off its horn at zoo

Zoo officials in the Czech Republic say that a white rhinoceros has been killed by poachers, who then cut off its horn.

The incident happened overnight Saturday at Zoo Dvur Kralove nad Labem, about 120 kilometers east of Prague.

Director Premysl Rabas said Monday the 20-year-old rhinoceros named Vince was found dead with its horn chopped off. He said it's the first time a rhino has been killed at the zoo.

Rabas said poaching is on the rise in the Czech Republic and elsewhere in Europe as demand for horns grows in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine.

Rhino population in South Africa suffers dramatic decline

The population of rhinos in South Africa has decreased by more than 96% in the last century, according to a study published in the journal Pachyderm.

The dramatic decline is primarily due to poaching and hunting, the authors say.

In 1900, there were about 20,000 rhinos in South Africa. By 2014, that number had dwindled to just <500>.

"The main reason for this dramatic decline has been poaching and hunting for their horns, which are highly prized in traditional Chinese medicine and are also used as dagger handles and ornamental objects," says study author Daniel technician from Stockholm University.

In recent years, however, the situation has improved somewhat with the population stabilizing at around 5,000 animals.

Rhinos are currently considered "critically endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Rhino sightings becoming more rare in South Africa

The black rhinoceros, native to Africa, has been classified as "vulnerable" on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This is because poaching has taken such a toll on their population in recent years. There were once thought to be around 70,000 black rhinos in the wild; however, that number has dwindled to just over 29,000.

Rhino poaching is big business. The horns of these animals are highly prized in parts of Asia for their supposed medicinal properties. Rhino horn can sell for as much as $60,000 per kilo on the black market – more than gold! This has resulted in a thriving illegal trade in rhino horn and has led to the death of thousands of these animals.

South Africa is home to the majority of the world's remaining black rhinos. However, according to recently released figures from South African National Parks (SANParks), sightings of this species are becoming increasingly rare in the country. In fact, there was only one confirmed sighting of a black rhino in all of SANParks' protected areas in 2017. This is a significant decline from 2016 when there were six confirmed sightings.

The reason for this decline is believed to be due to poaching. SANParks' figures show that since 2008, 1,028 black rhinos have been killed in South Africa by poachers. This represents almost a third of the global population of this species.

While there have been some successes in combating poaching, including the arrest of several high-profile individuals involved in the trade, it appears that the problem is continuing to worsen. As such, it is likely that sightings of black rhinos will continue to decline in South Africa in the years ahead.