More than 1,000 rhinos poached in south africa in 2017. Some of the perpetrators have not gone scot free, though. In south africa, poachers kill on average three rhinos per day or about 100 per month to feed the demand for horn on the black market. Pdf background on south africa, rhino poaching and rhino. As such, south africa has become a chief victim for illegal rhino poachers, who are in desperate search of these animals for their horns.
Lions are being killed in south africa for their body parts, and pleas have been directed to the government to stop the legal lionbone trade. Now if rhino murder were an event in the commonwealth games today that would be a statistic to be proud of. Most of the poaching occurs in south africa s iconic kruger national park, an area some 20,000 sq. The common view is that rhino poaching is morally wrong, and associated. Rhino poaching in south africa family safari south. South africa is facing a major rhinopoaching crisis.
Latest poaching stats from south africa helping rhinos. Read more on the latest news, facts and figures on rhino poaching and rhino conservation both globally and in south africa and kruger national park. Mar 01, 2016 theres a battle going on in south africa. Poaching numbers conservation save the rhino international. Rhino poaching levels in south africa fell in 2015. A total of 1 054 rhino were poached in 2016, compared to 1 175 in the same period for 2015, representing a decline of 10. Rhino poaching is on the rise in south africa, with 277 of the endangered animals killed this year despite government attempts to clamp down. In 2011, 448 rhinos were killed by poachers, of which 429 were white rhinos representing approximately 2. Jan 25, 2018 the number of rhino poaching incidents in south africa rose from in 2007 to a high of 1,215 in 2014. Rhino poaching decreases in south africa save the rhino. Katharina trump, expert for antipoaching at the world wildlife federation wwf germany, on rhinoceros poaching in south africa. Poaching rhino horn in south africa and mozambique.
Rhino poaching numbers in south africa continue to grow. Pdf background on south africa, rhino poaching and rhino horn. In south africa, law enforcement efforts are being stepped up in response to poaching. Nov 27, 2012 latest rhino poaching statistics for south africa posted on november 27, 2012 by africa geographic editorial the latest rhino poaching statistics indicate that a total of 588 rhinos have been lost to poaching since the beginning of this year, with the total number of arrests at 246. Rhino poaching update rhino conservation kruger park news.
The rhino poaching crisis in south africa became a major national and international drama in 20 when the number of rhinos poached reached 1,004. However, there is still a long road ahead as africa continues to lose an average of three rhinos a day to the ongoing poaching crisis. Thankfully, poaching numbers have decreased across africa since the peak of 1,349 in 2015. This is up over 70% from all the rhinos killed in south africa last year. South africas efforts to arrest and bring them to book have seen some success. Apr 09, 2014 rhino poaching is on the rise in south africa, with 277 of the endangered animals killed this year despite government attempts to clamp down on poaching, the environment ministry said wednesday. The field work took place in mozambique and kruger national park south africa. The viability of legalising trade in rhino horn in south africa. Latest rhino poaching statistics for south africa posted on november 27, 2012 by africa geographic editorial the latest rhino poaching statistics indicate that a total of 588 rhinos have been lost to poaching since the beginning of this year, with the total number of arrests at 246. Background on south africa, rhino poaching and rhino horn trafficking.
Rhino horns sell on the black market for between r100 000 locally and r500 000 to international clients as at april 2012. Rhino poaching in south africa sustainable tourism world. Poaching rhino horn in south africa and mozambique 2014 mk. Nov 20, 2014 some of the perpetrators have not gone scot free, though. Feb 26, 2012 zululand conservationists are calling for cites to legalize the trade in rhino horn as a drastic measure to stop rhino poaching. Specifically for the knp, a total of 662 rhino carcasses were found in 2016 compared to 826. The south africa viet nam rhino horn trade nexus image wwf. This may appear to be an extraordinary measure yet the main route to counteract rhino poaching is to debilitate individuals from getting it and it would just need to be finished once to every rhino. South africa has experienced a dramatic increase in rhino poaching since 2008. Soaring global prices for ivory and rhino horn are driving this poaching frenzy. Zululand conservationists are calling for cites to legalize the trade in rhino horn as a drastic measure to stop rhino poaching.
Since 2008, rhino poaching in south africa has skyrocketed year on year, culminating in. The number of rhino poached in south africa has declined, for the third year in a row. The current strategies to protect rhino have proved to be ineffective. Community and expert views from the trenches by kenly greer fenio, ph. Rhino poaching toll in south africa reaches new high. This new high in south africa for the number of rhinos poached within the last decade is horrific. Rhino poaching crisis in south africa as 200 killed in six. With the current trend of poaching, rhino in south africa will soon become extinct. Rhino poaching hits record high in south africa cbs news. It is not only the rate at which these animals are being killed but also the manner in which this happens that has many south africans calling for more stringent action. In south africa, a private army is fighting rhino poachers. Apr 19, 2018 south africa s oldest game reserve, hluhluweimfolozi park, became famous for its white rhino conservation work in the 1950s and 60s when it brought the subspecies back from the edge of extinction.
In light of the high incidence of rhino poaching in southern africa, the african. South africas department of environmental affairs have released their official rhino poaching statistics for the period of 1st january to 31st august 2016. In the mid2000s, the demand for rhino horn exploded, which spurred on an unprecedented wave of poaching in south africa. South african government is aware that ongoing scourge of.
Technical report pdf available january 2017 with 1,665 reads how we measure reads. Rhino poaching worsens in 5 provinces as sa loses 68 elephants too. Oct 04, 2010 210 rhinos have already been killed by poachers in south africa since the start of this year. South african rhino poaching numbers for the last year show a decline for the second consecutive year due to concerted conservation efforts. And year after year, the numbers have continued to climb. Previously secure populations are now being targeted by increasingly sophisticated and aggressive poaching operations, apparently. A total of 344 alleged rhino poachers, couriers and poaching syndicate members have been arrested in south africa since the start of 2014. Vanishing rhinos the impact of rhino poaching on the south african ecosystem by shelby rehberger the practice of removing large mammals, referred to as humankinds most pervasive influence on nature by researchers at stony brook university, led to more than three rhinoceroses being poached every day in 20 in south africa. Stop poaching now to critical projects in south africa, swaziland, and zimbabwe, while also translocating rhinos to a new site in botswana under a separate initiative. An agriculturist in south africa finished this and he says the toxin, while savage to people, and has no impact on the rhino. Jan 25, 2018 the number of rhino poached in south africa has declined, for the third year in a row. The viability of legalising international trade in rhino. South africa had managed to almost completely avoid the poaching crisis and had steadily built up its rhino numbers over the 20 th century.
Rhino poaching in south africa rhino species there are two rhino species in africa. The main conservation actors across the big 4 can be grouped as. Sadly however, south africa can claim no such glory. Apr 25, 2017 south africa lost 448 rhinos in 2011, 668 in 2012, 1,004 in 20, and 1,215 in 2014. Prior to 2006, illegal killing of rhinos was being maintained at consistently low levels. Over 1,000 rhinos killed by poachers in south africa in. Jul 04, 2011 in south africa, law enforcement efforts are being stepped up in response to poaching. White rhinos are, without doubt, the most prolific rhino species, and are found in game parks and reserves throughout south africa as well as surrounding countries. Figures show 20 poachers have been killed in combat, while six have been convicted and 123 people have been. Fueled by demand from increasingly wealthy middle classes in china and vietnam, rhino horn is illegally traded on the black market largely as a symbol of wealth and status. Rhino poaching worsens in 5 provinces as sa loses 68. Specifically for the knp, a total of 662 rhino carcasses were found in 2016 compared to 826 in 2015.
Figures show 20 poachers have been killed in combat, while six. Compiled in early 2011, this investigation into rhino poaching asks. Sabri zain, director of policy at wildlife trade monitoring group, traffic, said. Over 1,000 rhinos killed by poachers in south africa in 2017 source. In 2011, a record 448 rhinos were poached, and in the first 6 months of 2012, nearly 300 rhinos were killed. The current poaching crisis is attributed to the growing demand for rhino horn in asian countries, mainly vietnam and china. The history of rhino poaching in south africa rhino. As a means of addressing the poaching scourge, the cabinet in july approved that south africa prepare and submit a rhino trade proposal for consideration at the. Illegal killings in southern africa from 2000 to 2007 were rare, frequently fewer than 10 a year. Latest official south african rhino poaching statistics. Manpower for ipzs established at effective levels 3. Pdf the purpose of this descriptive document is to present relevant background information about south africa and the criminal markets of rhino. The number of rhino poaching incidents in south africa rose from in 2007 to a high of 1,215 in 2014.
Shocking rise in rhino poaching leads to formation of new unit ruthless and highly organised criminals are butchering south africas rhinos at an alarming and escalating rate. In 2016 alone, 1,054 rhinos were reported killed in south africa. The most disturbing trend has been the horrific increase in poaching of rhinos in south africa. Sep 25, 2017 katharina trump, expert for anti poaching at the world wildlife federation wwf germany, on rhinoceros poaching in south africa. Poaching incidents in kruger rose sharply from 252 in 2011. Durban rhino poaching in two of south africas most famous game reserves is starting to have an impact on tourism and could affect future visitor numbers if the situation does not improve. These illegal killing decreased slightly in 2015 which reports 1,175 rhino losses. Rhino poaching in south africa natural world safaris. Poaching, driven by illegal demand for rhino horn from south east asia.
As previously mentioned, the poaching may have decreased in south africa but it more than doubled in the neighboring countries of namibia and zimbabwe. Whereas both black and white rhinos were on the verge of extinction at the start of that century, by the year 2000 they were thriving in south africa, which also played a key role in supplying other african. South african rhino poaching numbers show need for urgent. It seemed to represent the crossing of a threshold, engendering feelings of rage, retribution, and a stream of calls to action by the public, conservation agencies, and many others. Rhino poaching statistics update 2019 in south africa, and specifically in kruger national park, rhino poaching has increased at an alarming rate during the first decade of the 21st century. While a slight decrease in rhino poaching in south africa was apparent in 2015, so clearly action by the.
And though it may not have the human body count of, say, syria, this struggle is just as bloody. South africas oldest game reserve, hluhluweimfolozi park, became famous for its white rhino conservation work in the 1950s and 60s when it brought the subspecies back from the edge of. Vanishing rhinos the impact of rhino poaching on the. Over the last five years we have seen a dramatic rise in the incidence of rhino poaching, notably in south africa, custodian of the worlds largest remaining populations. Rhino poaching in south africa 70th birthday safari south africas longawaited statistical report on rhino poaching revealed an overall 10. Nov 03, 2016 durban rhino poaching in two of south africas most famous game reserves is starting to have an impact on tourism and could affect future visitor numbers if the situation does not improve. With the release of 2017s poaching statistics, its clear the crisis continues. Today, there are around 5,000 black rhino left in africa. Tourism in africa loses r343million per year through elephant poaching article sipho kings 7 nov 2016 high cost to conserve elephants from poachers is compensated by tourism income. Jan 25, 2018 rhino poaching worsens in 5 provinces as sa loses 68 elephants too. Rhinoceros poaching in south africa shows no dorrit jacob, institute of geosciences and earth system science suitable for grade v emis. South africa lost 448 rhinos in 2011, 668 in 2012, 1,004 in 20, and 1,215 in 2014. Rhino poaching numbers in south africa dropped slightly in 2015, with 1,175 rhinos slaughtered 826 in kruger national park, 317 poachers arrested a 59% increase from the previous year and firearms confiscated.
Since 2008, rhino poaching in south africa has skyrocketed year on year, culminating in a total of 448 rhinos killed in 2011. The record number of arrests this year follows an intensification of anti poaching actions by sanparks and the police, as well as the sandf and provincial conservation and security officials. Department of state november 2014 this report interprets focus group and in depth interview data and does not necessarily reflect the views of the u. Sep 22, 2015 today, there are around 5,000 black rhino left in africa. Department of state november 2014 this report interprets focus group and indepth interview data and does not necessarily reflect the views of the u. I did not want to believe the 2012 numbers, said matthew lewis, wwfs african species expert. The good news is that over all the number of rhinos lost to poaching in south africa is down compared to 2015. Figure 3 number of rhinos killed in poaching incidents in south africa 19902012, showing predicted total of 532. The current rhino poaching crisis began in 2008, with increasing numbers of rhino killed for their horn throughout africa until 2015. South africa is one of the countries that boast the highest population of rhinos in the world, both black and white. May 03, 20 an agriculturist in south africa finished this and he says the toxin, while savage to people, and has no impact on the rhino.
Jan 21, 2016 sabri zain, director of policy at wildlife trade monitoring group, traffic, said. African rhinos are suffering a new poaching onslaught. We are very concerned about the increase in poaching incidents of lions. The record number of arrests this year follows an intensification of antipoaching actions by sanparks and the police, as well as the sandf and provincial conservation and security officials. The history of rhino poaching in south africa rhino africa blog. Latest rhino poaching statistics for south africa africa. By 20, 1,004 rhinos were poached in south africa alone. Vanishing rhinos the impact of rhino poaching on the south. Jan 26, 2015 the most disturbing trend has been the horrific increase in poaching of rhinos in south africa. At the center of the fight is wildlife, as a rapid rise in elephant and rhino poaching finds these animals being killed for their tusks and horns at increasingly alarming rates. The south african government has declared rhino poaching to be a national priority crime, and has rolled out a raft of initiatives to combat the problem, including boosting security in. Rhino poaching in south africa family safari south africa.
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