The current rhino poaching crisis began in , with increasing numbers of rhino killed for their horn throughout Africa until Thankfully, poaching numbers have decreased across the continent since the peak of 1, in Yet, a rhino is still killed every day: there is a lot more to do.
At recorded poaching incidents in South Africa in , poaching numbers have declined significantly in recent years, but are still too high. Thankfully, the numbers show a substantial decrease compared to the previous year rhino poaching dropped by one third. However, this positive — and very welcome — decrease does not mean rhinos are now thriving. On average in the country, a rhino is killed for its horn every 22 hours. And, the latest numbers show that rhino populations, particularly in key strongholds such as Kruger National Park, in South Africa, have fallen dramatically.
The long-term impact of the poaching crisis, and the extended periods of drought, are taking their toll. Without urgent action, their numbers could dwindle. One of the challenges that the ongoing poaching crisis brings is that it diverts attention from other actions that are important for rhinos to thrive in the future. South Africa has by far the largest population of rhinos in the world and is an incredibly important country for rhino conservation.
Kruger consistently suffered heavy poaching loses, and so in the last few years, the government and international donors have channelled ever more funding and resources into securing the Park. We cannot afford to lose any more rhinos: we must do everything possible to protect remaining populations to help their numbers increase. It is extremely encouraging that more people were arrested and prosecuted than previous years; stopping corruption and speeding up prosecution processes continues to be critically important if we are to truly tackle this horrific illegal trade.
The current poaching crisis actually began in Zimbabwe, where the difficult socio-economic and political climate facilitated rhino poaching. Environment Minister Barbara Creecy said strict measures to prevent the spread of coronavirus infections last year had led to "a significant reduction in poacher incursions" to the world-famous Kruger National Park, near the Mozambique border. Ms Creecy added that while the "extraordinary circumstances surrounding the battle to beat the Covid pandemic" had contributed to the decrease in poaching in , rangers, security personnel and government efforts to tackle the issue also played "a significant role".
Dr Jo Shaw of the World Wide Fund for Nature WWF in South Africa said that while she welcomed a reduction in the number of rhinos lost to poaching, "we are very aware that the apparent reprise provided by lockdown restrictions in was only a temporary pause". She said that these included ensuring that resources were made available, a commitment was made to "root out corruption" and factors that cause criminal behaviour - "such as lack of opportunities, high levels of inequality and breakdowns in social norms" - were addressed.
He said that any reduction in poaching caused by the pandemic is "unlikely to be maintained when current restrictions end in South Africa". Prof Somerville said a report by South African National Parks , which states that anti-poaching efforts have improved in recent years, "failed to note the continued decline" or to calculate the difference in percentage of the killings at the Kruger park in relation to the overall rhino population.
A total of rhinos were killed for their horns in South Africa , compared with 1, in , official statistics show. Usually sold in powdered form, rhino horn is composed mainly of keratin, the same substance as in human fingernails. The content you requested does not exist or is not available anymore. ON TV. On social media. Who are we?
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