Rhino Poaching On The Rise
In spite of intensifying efforts to battle rhino poaching in South Africa, the killing of the endangered species continues at an alarming level. In a recent interview, Edna Molewa, Minister of Environmental Affairs said that 749 rhinos were killed through to August 27th. This represents a 5 per cent increase compared to the same time period in 2014 when a record 1,215 rhinos were poached for their horns which are extremely valuable in China and Vietnam.
Nothing good can come of this
Of the 749 rhinos that were killed this year so far, 544 were poached in the Kruger National Park which is South Africa’s most famous wildlife reserve and is home to most of the world’s rhinos. The park spans the borders of Zimbabwe and Mozambique. There is no positive spin that can be put on this tragic story, however Mr. Molena says that the number of arrests that have been made is well ahead of last year. This year 138 people have been caught compared to just 81 arrests by this point last year.
The species may go extinct
Conservationists are worried that the iconic species is well on the road to extinction in South Africa which has the largest population of rhinos in the world. According to the Save The Rhino website, if the pace of killing continues at this rate then deaths will overtake births from the year 2016 onwards. This means the species is likely to become extinct in the very near future.
Poaching financed by crime syndicates
Eastern medicine believes the rhino horn can cure or prevent cancer and other diseases, despite the fact that there are no proven scientific medical benefits. Poachers make use of high tech poaching techniques that are financed by crime syndicates. In South Africa last year, every eight hours a rhino was killed.