Study Confirms Zimbabwe, South Africa Form Epicenter of Rhino Poaching Crisis
A recent study points out that 95% of illegal African rhino killings since 2006 have occurred in Zimbabwe and South Africa.
A sobering report from the IUCN Species Survival Commission, African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups, and TRAFFIC says that Africa’s rhino poaching crisis is far from over - and warns that the continued involvement of Chinese and Vietnamese nationals in rhinoceros-related crimes must be addressed by law enforcement in both Africa and Asia.
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The Zimbabwe rhino population has suffered catastrophic losses: 26% of the country’s rhino population has been lost to poaching, and 89% of critically endangered black rhinos illegally killed have been from Zimbabwe.
In South Africa, rhino poaching has risen steadily in the last three years, with nearly 25% of all rhino deaths attributed to illegal killing.
Since 2006, 95% of all detected or presumed rhino deaths in Africa from illegal killing have occurred in Zimbabwe and South Africa. These two nations collectively form the epicentre of an unrelenting poaching crisis in southern Africa. In South Africa, the illegal off-take has reached the highest levels in recent history, impacting not only Kruger NP on the country’s border with Mozambique, but also other protected areas in KwaZulu-Natal and a range of private sector game ranches for the first time in Limpopo, Gauteng, North West and Eastern Cape provinces. Similarly in Zimbabwe, serious rhino poaching is now affecting virtually all rhino populations within the country, even those in the southeast lowveld that were previously considered to be well protected and which had exhibited steady population growth.
Unfortunately, rhino poaching also appears to be increasing in Kenya for the first time since 2003.
Illegal rhino horn trade reaches 15 year high
Fueling the poaching crisis is the demand for rhino horn in Asia - most notably China - and recently, Vietnam. According to the report, the number of rhino horns destined for illegal Asian markets has more than doubled in less than four years.
In the period of 2000 - 2005, 664 rhino horns were reportedly acquired for illegal trade. However, from 2006 - 2009, the number of horns entering illegal trade currently stands at 1,521.
Actual quantities are believed to be far greater as undetected poaching and other thefts have certainly transpired. Further, the volume of horn that has been illegally sold by the private sector in South Africa also remains unknown but has been conservatively estimated at 50 horns annually. Even with these caveats, the number of rhino horns being traded has steadily grown, with 2008 probably representing the most intensive illegal movement of rhino horn over the last 15 years. Using average horn weights, more than 3,100 kg of rhino horn potentially reached illegal Asian markets from 2006 to 2009.
Lack of law enforcement in Zimbabwe
Although South Africa reports ten successful prosecutions for rhino crimes, the prosecution rate in Zimbabwe is less than an abysmal 3%.
An April 2009 assessment of 123 separate poaching incidents in Zimbabwe, involving the recorded killing or wounding of 156 rhinos since 2007, indicated that only 18 cases had resulted in arrests. Of the 41 people who were arrested, only six people from three separate cases were actually convicted, three of whom were foreign nationals from Zambia and Angola who received 18-year prison terms. One Zimbabwean was sentenced to five years in prison, and two Zimbabweans were each given 12 months in jail. Overall, this represents a conviction rate of less than 3%.
Allegations of high ranking government officials in illicit rhino horn trade have also been reported.
Abuse of South African trophy hunts by Vietnamese nationals
Another notable issue was the new phenomenon of Vietnamese clients participating in South African trophy hunts.
Investigations in South Africa have revealed disturbing evidence of organized crime, including: the frequent involvement of a small number of Vietnamese nationals in rhino hunting, often on the same game ranches repeatedly; numerous cases whereby Vietnamese ”trophy hunters” paid above market price for rhino hunts, but then had to be instructed how to shoot and would completely forego any proper trophy preparation; the issuance of export permits for rhino trophies to Vietnamese nationals who had previously been identified in ongoing rhino crime investigations; the repeated involvement of Viet Nam Embassy personnel or vehicles in the illegal procurement and movement of rhino horns within and out of South Africa, one of whom invoked ”diplomatic immunity” to avoid arrest; the belief in law enforcement circles that various rhino poaching incidents have directly involved Vietnamese buyers; and arrests of Vietnamese men and women in possession of illegal rhino horns.
Upon discovering the trophy hunting abuses, South Africa enacted tightened trade controls and hunting regulations in February 2008. Following these changes, the number of Vietnamese citizens participating in trophy hunts was significantly reduced - at the same time, a disconcerting rise in rhino poaching occurred in South Africa.
Recognition of these abuses led South Africa to promulgate new trade controls and hunting regulations. Following implementation in February 2008, the number of reported legal rhino hunts by Vietnamese citizens declined significantly, but an immediate escalation in rhino poaching in South Africa occurred. Whether these two parallel events are directly correlated or not needs to be established,but anecdotal evidence seems to suggest a relationship.
Despite being illegal, rhino horn is apparently sold openly as medicine in Vietnam.
In Viet Nam, rhino horns (including fake horns) are being sold through traditional medicine stores and hospitals, whilst other shops promote special bowls for grinding and mixing rhino horns. Further, rhino horns are being marketed through at least six virtual trading websites in Viet Nam; the “online” horns are described as authentic, but no locations are given and only mobile phone numbers are provided in terms of contact details.
Imports of live rhinos to China: “Horn harvesting”?
An increase in the imports of live rhinos to China from South Africa has recently been reported, as well as discrepancies in the actual numbers of rhinos involved. The study recommended that this trend, combined with emerging reports of “horn harvesting” from live rhinos in China, be further investigated and clarified.
The discrepancies in trade volumes include some inexplicable anomalies. For example, South Africa reported exporting 61 rhinos to China in 2006 and 2007, whilst China recorded receiving 117 rhinos from South Africa during the same time. Indeed, since 2000, Chinese data suggest 141 rhinos were obtained from South Africa, and reports of ”horn harvesting” of captive rhinos in China have surfaced (but need further verification before being accepted as credible). Clarification on the purpose of keeping large aggregations of captive rhino in China would be welcomed. The deliberative process and criteria used by South Africa in determining what constitutes an “appropriate and acceptable destination” for live rhinos also remains to be clarified.
Recently, concerns about these issues in South Africa have resulted in a temporary moratorium being placed on live rhino exports.
If China’s bear farms, illegal tiger farms, and the recent elephant ivory auction are any indication, then it is likely the notion of “rhino horn harvesting” will thwart rhino conservation efforts by further stimulating the illegal market for endangered species products.
Is there any good news about rhinos in Africa?
Surprisingly, there is some good news about African rhinos: Overall, the net populations of both black and white rhinos have increased since 1995 (with the exception of Zimbabwe).
Since 1995, the average annual net growth rates of white and black rhinos have been 7.2% and 4.8%, respectively. South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya collectively conserve most black (95.7%) and white (98.8%) rhino. New populations have been created and rhino numbers have increased in all of these countries except Zimbabwe, where both species are now declining. Rhino populations in Botswana, Swaziland and Tanzania also now exceed 100 animals.
How to help rhinos
To learn more about how you can help rhino conservation efforts, please visit:
See also:
- Commercial Rhino Poaching Thriving in South Africa, Thanks to Asian Demand for Rhino Horn
- Second Rhino in One Week Murdered in KwaZulu-Natal
- Zimbabwe’s Rhino Poaching Crisis Compounded by Lack of Law Enforcement
- Is Escalating Rhino Horn Trade Linked to South African Hunting Industry?
- Rhinos: 11 Incredible Facts, Plus Photo Gallery
Download the report
The author has provided this post as a snapshot of recent data regarding African rhinos. You can download the entire report African and Asian Rhinoceroses - Status, Conservation and Trade: A Report from the IUCN Species Survival Commission (IUCN/SSC) African and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups and TRAFFIC to the CITES Secretariat pursuant to Resolution Conf. 9.14 (Rev. CoP14) and Decision 14.89 from the CITES website.
Image source: flickr.com/chadica/ / CC BY 2.0
Kill wildlife must bee always illegal! The animals have the right to live!
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