Cloud Over World Rhino Day
While ordinary people worldwide, together with international conservation bodies, mark World Rhino Day today, there is little cause for celebration.
According to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), poachers have this year killed 287 rhinos in South Africa alone — more than one a day. These stark statistics are enough to cast a black cloud over any celebrations; instead, the universal call is for an end to rhino poaching.
Official delegations from Vietnam and China will visit South Africa later this month to discuss the growing demand for rhino horn in Asia, where it is used for traditional medicine.
Meanwhile, Dr. Morné du Plessis, CEO of WWF South Africa has called for governments in Asia and Africa to work together to disrupt trade chains and “bring wildlife criminals to justice”.
“Demand for rhino horn and elephant ivory is threatening to destroy a large part of Africa’s natural heritage. We want to see illegal markets for these products in Asia shut down for good,” he added.
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+Scotch Macaskill
It’s pretty terrible what people do to animals. It amazes me how high the demand for the products from endangered animals remains. It’s 2011 people!