

In some parts of the world, especially in Asia, animals are consumed as delicacies or used in traditional medicines or preparations. Poaching exists because of the demand for certain wildlife. Each year, mammals such as rhinos and elephants as well as lesser-known species are poached in the millions. While poaching can happen anywhere, many species are targeted throughout Africa.

Poaching is the illegal capture and transport of - or the hunting and killing of - wildlife.

You’ll learn more about these animals, why they are in danger from poachers, and how you can help save rhinos from poaching.
#Where does black rhinoceros live how to#
You can read our heartfelt tribute to him here.If you’re interested in learning how to help stop rhino poaching, keep reading. The last male northern white rhino, Sudan, died in March 2018 of age-related issues. The only two remaining northern white rhino live at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya. The subspecies western black rhino and northern white rhino are now extinct in the wild. There are now around 20,000 living across Africa, yet the increase in poaching levels is once again threatening these populations. White rhino are classified as ”‘near threatened”. Numbers of Black rhino dropped by a staggering 96% between 19 but thanks to concerted rhino conservation efforts, their numbers are now rising. The black rhino is “critically endangered” with only around 5,000 remaining in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, and Kenya. The two remaining rhino species are found in Africa. Numbers have increased due to successful conservation efforts, though Asian rhino species are still poached for its horn in India and Nepal. The third Asian species is listed as “vulnerable”. The Greater One-Horned rhino has increased in numbers up to 3,550 from only 200 in 1900. The Javan rhino is one of the rarest large mammals on earth, and was declared extinct in Vietnam in 2011. There are only around 72 Javan rhino left in the world and less than100 Sumatran rhino. There are three species of rhino in Asia, two of which are “critically endangered,” the Javan and Sumatran rhino.

There are five rhino species surviving today – Black, White, Greater One-Horned (or Indian), Javan and Sumatran, and several sub-species within these groups. It is used as a status symbol and is said to be an aphrodisiac. More recently, and particularly among the middle and upper classes of Vietnam, the purchase of rhino horn signifies someone’s wealth and success. Rhino horns are used in traditional Asian medicine, particularly in Vietnam and China, though there is no scientific evidence that keratin found in the horn is beneficial as a remedy. Rhino horn trade has been banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species ( CITES) since 1977, yet the black-market demand for rhino horn is high. Political and economic instability within countries can increase the threat of poaching too. One rhino horn can fetch in excess of an incredible £200,000. Poaching is big business, and well organised criminal gangs are now well-equipped to track and kill rhino. Poaching and illegal trade of rhino horn has increased sharply since 2007 and remains one of the major reasons rhino are still endangered today. POACHING AND ILLEGAL TRAFFICKING OF RHINO HORN
