Rhino poaching surges in Asia and Africa
Rhino poaching worldwide is on the rise, according to a new report by TRAFFIC
and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The trade is being driven by Asian demand for horns and is made worse by
increasingly sophisticated poachers, who now are using veterinary drugs, poison,
cross bows and high caliber weapons to kill rhinos, the report states.
Since 2006 the majority (95 percent) of the poaching in Africa has occurred
in Zimbabwe and South Africa, according to new data. “These two nations
collectively form the epicentre of an unrelenting poaching crisis in southern
Africa,” said Tom Milliken of TRAFFIC.
The report, which was submitted to the Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) ahead of its 15th meeting of
the Conference of the Parties (CoP15) in March, documents a decline in law
enforcement effectiveness and an increase in poaching intensity in Africa. The
situation is most serious in Zimbabwe where rhino numbers are now declining and
the conviction rate for rhino crimes in Zimbabwe is only three percent. Despite
the introduction of a number of new measures, poaching and illicit horn trade in
South Africa has also increased.
“Concerted action at the highest level is needed to stop this global crisis
of rampant rhino poaching,” said Amanda Nickson, Director of the Species
Programme at WWF International. “We call on the countries of concern to come to
COP 15 in March with specific actions they have undertaken to show their
commitment to stopping this poaching and protecting rhinos in the wild.”
The report also raises concerns regarding the low and declining numbers as
well as the uncertain status of some of the Sumatran and Javan rhino populations
in Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam.
“Sumatran and Javan rhino range countries need to increase efforts to better
assess the current status of many of their rhino populations - to enhance field
law enforcement efforts - prevent further encroachment and land transformation
in rhino areas - and improve biological management of remaining rhinos to ensure
the few remaining Sumatran and Javan Rhino numbers increase,” said Dr. Bibhab
Kumar Talukdar, Chair of the IUCN/SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group
Most rhino horns leaving southern Africa are destined for medicinal markets
in southeast and east Asia, especially Vietnam, and also China. The report
highlights Vietnam as a country of particular concern – noting that Vietnamese
nationals operating in South Africa have recently been identified in rhino crime
investigations. In addition, concern has been expressed about the status of
Vietnam’s single Javan rhino population.
However, the report does note that in some areas populations of rhinos are
increasing. “Where there is political will, dedicated conservation programs and
good law enforcement, rhino numbers have increased in both Africa and Asia,”
said Dr Richard Emslie, Scientific Officer of IUCN’s African Rhino Specialist
Group. - IUCN
More information:
 IUCN’s Rhino Specialist Groups and TRAFFIC were mandated to produce the
report by CITES. The data collection and report writing for the report was
partially funded by WWF and partners.
To read the full report, please click
here.
IUCN, International Union for Conservation of Nature
www.iucn.org
TRAFFIC www.traffic.org
WWF www.panda.org
|
