About 200 rhino have reportedly been killed by poachers in Zimbabwe over the last three years, and wildlife officials warn that international and regional poaching syndicates are benefiting from local cooperation.
Disappointing news: Zimbabwe may have lost a quarter of its rhino population in just three years, due to the increasing strength of organized poaching syndicates and a network of local support.
Dr. Morris Mutsambiwa, Director of National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said via The Zimbabwe Herald that nearly 200 rhino have been killed – and locals are among those cooperating with poaching syndicates operating in the region.
We have lost close to 200 rhinos in the last two to three years. From the intelligence we are gathering we strongly believe that there are syndicates which operate in the region involving locals, South African citizens and also people of Asian origin, which seem to be the main market for the rhino horns.
Dr. Mutsambiwa stated that 86 suspected poachers had been arrested so far this year. 33 of the 45 reported cases involved Zimbabweans, and the others arrested were from Zambia, South Africa, and China.
The southeast low veld, the Zambezi Valley, and parts of Midlands Province were the areas targeted by poachers.
Rhino poaching has increased in the region and it’s greater in Zimbabwe because of our own population as compared to our neighbours.
It has been linked to two factors and the first one is that it is because South Africa and Namibia were given permission by Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species to hunt five rhinos each.
According to Dr. Mutsambiwa, poachers are able to operate in Zimbabwe without fear of serious consequences: Cattle rustlers face more serious punishment than rhino poachers.
The Herald noted that although journalists were asked to leave before national parks officials announced numbers regarding the region’s current rhino population, there are believed to be around 500 black rhino and 300 white rhino remaining in Zimbabwe.
See also:
- Poaching Cartel Fulfills Rhino Horn and Elephant Ivory ‘Orders’ Placed By Chinese Nationals
- Zimbabwe’s Rhino Poaching Crisis Compounded by Lack of Law Enforcement
- Zimbabwe’s Black Rhino: Some Good News
- Commercial Rhino Poaching Thriving in South Africa, Thanks to Asian Demand for Rhino Horn
Image: Wikimedia Commons
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