Javan rhino - Fewer than 35 (critically endangered, possibly extinct)
Sumatran rhino - Fewer than 200 (critically endangered)
Black rhino - 4,838 (critically endangered)
Greater one-horned rhino - 3000 (vulnerable)
White rhino - 20,000 (near threatened)
Western African black rhino - Extinct
Northern white rhino - Possibly extinct
On 22 September 2013 we celebrate the fourth annual World Rhino Day. It is with a heavy heart that I use the word ‘celebrate’. For the state of the world’s rhinos has never been worse. Confirming previous projections of the increase of poaching deaths; a profound statistic of one rhino per 24 hours killed in 2012 has leaped to one rhino every 11 hours in 2013. This is a horrific and shocking truth that much of the world’s population seems to be overlooking. Millions are aware of the situation, yet the predictions come to life monthly, weekly and now hourly. The frustrating efforts poured into raising awareness, safeguarding national parks and educating the masses seem to only escalate the demand for rhino horn. The false medicinal beliefs remain unbelievably strong. With an estimated black market value of $65 000/kg it is difficult, near impossible, to find enough ethical people to keep one rhino safe. Considering that rhinos reside in the poorest countries of the world and demand is driven by the highest populated countries, success seems improbable. Inside jobs are on the rise and morals are tested and lost with cash. This lucrative trade has proven that man can be bought. Our ability to choose between right and wrong is tipping into the crooked side and majestic mammals are lost, one by one…
The
Vietnamese Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) was a subspecies of the Javan Rhino. This rhino was distinguished from its island relative by its size - a much smaller version of the rhinos that roam Java. This delicate mammal was the second of the four subspecies of the
Javan rhinos to be poached to extinction in 2010. The first subspecies disappeared in 1925; it was the Indian Javan rhinoceros (
R. sondaicus inermis) once more hunted for its minute horn. As the remaining Javan rhinos dwindle in despair as a population of near 8 billion humans looks on.
The
Northern white rhinoceros (Certotherium simum cottoni) is a subspecies of the white rhinoceros. However morphological and genetic differences suggest that they are separated by at least a million years and may altogether be a different species. Sadly this rhino is at the very end of its line and has been declared extinct in the wild. The last two mating pairs known to mankind were transported from a zoo in the Czech Republic to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya in 2009 in an attempt to begin an major undertaking to save the species from vanishing. As their very existence hangs in the balance every precaution was undertaken to secure success. All four rhinos’ horns were sawn off to prevent unnecessary injuries to each other as well as to make them less vulnerable to poaching. As of July 2013, neither female has become pregnant but a rhinoceros gestation period is 16 to 18 months and hope remains. Two more Northern white rhinos can be seen at San Diego Zoo. Sadly the female is not fertile so this is not a breeding pair.
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A Rhino Issue Management report released on 24 July by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs revealed valuable information and an overall recognition that poachers operate with elusive international criminal syndicates in well organized operations. The inadequacy of intelligence available to the state and to private rhino owners was pointed out as a major shortcoming in the rhino safety strategy. The report examined various options and suggestions included funding; safety and security; conservation strategies including dehorning, chemically treating horns; translocations; community participation; technological options such as micro-chipping and a centralized DNA database, already in place, and the use of drones. The most controversial aspects were also highlighted by the report such as hunting, farming and trading. It is clear that the ban on the trade has not helped reduce the poaching. It is believed that as long as there is demand for the rhino horn, effective means of supplying it must be developed in order to save the wild rhino as a species. Some of the proposals put forward by the report include: announcing the intention to authorize commercial farming of rhino; a domestic trade in rhino horn; selling of rhino horn stockpiles to the international market; and South Africa possibly applying to CITES to lift the current ban on trade in rhino horn to allow a semi-permanent legal trade in horn. As yet these are mere proposals and not agreed actions. Ultimately the decision lies with the South African Minister and Department of Environmental Affairs.
Legalizing the trade in rhino horn is supported by economists who argue that if rhino horn could be traded freely, market forces would drive horn prices down, which would hopefully reduce the incentive to poach. However one needs to acknowledge the opposing viewpoint that no evidence suggests that prices will decrease with a legalized trade, and it is more likely that demand for rhino horn would increase.
In the past year some positive changes have been made. President Zuma amended the trophy hunting laws, closing loopholes exploited by hunting officers and hunters alike. A national registration system with a database of all professional hunters and hunting operators has been put in place and will prevent hunters killing rhinos in each province. Abuse of the permit will result in their removal from the register and the loss of their operating licenses.
The biggest hurdle for anti-poaching efforts in the Kruger National Park is the inability for rangers to carry out 'hot pursuit’ of poachers across the country’s border. Poachers escape into the neighboring Mozambique side of the park where the rangers have no jurisdiction. Ongoing discussions between South Africa and Mozambique to curb this significant problem continues.
There is no quick fix for ending the poaching of rhinos. Many short and long term strategies need to be set in place and adhered to. South Africa and other rhino range countries are in need of continued international support. Saving the rhino one calf at a time, the Rhino Orphanage in Limpopo provence South Africa was established in 2012. A first of its kind and created out of the needs of the left over victims of the terrible trade. Baby rhinos stream into the orphanage weekly. Every orphan, a witness to the murder of its mom, is injured themselves, not to mention traumatized. The babies are often found days, even weeks, after the slaughter, dehydrated, scared and crying. It is said by those who’ve heard it, as 'once you hear the piercing call of a baby rhino for it’s mother you will never forget it’. The thought of this horrific truth haunts me daily as I hear the latest statistics. The demise of the rhino is becoming a fact of life for most South Africans as we hear of the ever climbing number on the news; the count down of a species. We dismiss the devastating reality and continue about our daily lives. Overlooking one immense problem: Once they are gone we can’t order more on the internet.
Rhino horn is not a medicine!
Deziree Smith aka SmithZoo
