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Please read more about the rhino outrach program and make your contribution in the name of the blessed afforded you.
SALUTE RHINO HEROES ON RHINO DAY
It’s
Rhino Day on 22nd September. This year, WWF is saluting rhino
heroes, the brave men and women who devote their lives to defending rhinos.
Some of them lose their lives.
South Africa’s rhinos are still facing a poaching onslaught, caused by the
illegal rhino horn trade driven by demand from Asia. Rhino poaching is often
carried out by well-armed, international criminal syndicates using
sophisticated technology. More than 280 rhinos have already been killed by
poachers this year.
The courageous effort of rhino heroes must be backed up at other levels. This
includes making sure that those guilty of rhino crimes do not walk free on
technicalities, and that punishment is commensurate with the crime. In South
Africa, officials have begun to conduct more rigorous prosecutions and impose
stricter sentences. WWF has called for a corresponding commitment by countries
in Asia where illegal demand for rhino horn is driving poachers.
How can people help WWF help rhino and those
who defend them?
- Promote Rhino Day on 22nd
September.
- Raise funds or donate
money. Unfortunately, rhino conservation is expensive and ongoing.
Poaching is a constant reality in spite of the massive efforts on the
ground by the heroes who defend our rhinos.
- Report anything suspicious
to your local conservation authority.
- Visit game reserves. Share
your love for rhinos with people who don’t yet understand their
plight.
What does WWF do?
WWF
works with government and the National Prosecuting Authority to improve
forensic investigation of rhino crime scenes and improve the knowledge and
skills of the people who prosecute rhino crimes. With TRAFFIC, WWF engages the
Vietnamese and Chinese governments to address Asian demand for illegal rhino
horn. WWF strengthens capacity-building through training of wildlife
conservationists at the South African Wildlife College and funds security
equipment and training of rangers at key rhino populations.
Security
is a critical part of rhino conservation but it is also essential to encourage
rapid growth of rhino populations. WWF does this through the Black Rhino Range
Expansion Project which creates significant new black rhino populations. So far
six founder populations of black rhino have been released on to new sites. Nearly
100 black rhino have been translocated, and more than 30 calves have been born
on project sites
African rhino population statistics
Black Rhino: Approx 4,838 . Classified as critically
endangered
White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from fewer than 100 in
1900. Classified as near threatened
Poaching Statistics
South Africa:
2010: 333 rhinos total
2011: About 280 by September
All of Africa:
Over 1000 rhinos poached since 2006
Rhino Horn Demand
The increase in demand for rhino
horn over the past few years has largely been attributed to a new demand from
Vietnam. Vietnamese government officials have been implicated in horn trade and
are believed to comprise many of the consumers of rhino horn.
Rhino horn was removed entirely from the official pharmacopoeia
of traditional Chinese medicine in 1993. Its use in traditional medicine was in
the treatment of high fevers. Contrary to popular belief, rhino horn was never
used as an aphrodisiac. It is composed
of keratin, the same substance as hair and human fingernails.
Poaching in Africa has been increasing since 2007 when we
began to witness the introduction of more sophisticated techniques. A turning point in prosecutions and
sentencing has been reached with wildlife crimes being taken more seriously in
court. The longest sentence before 2009 was 2 years, but now because of better
evidence handling and more rigorous prosecutions, some poachers and smugglers
are receiving between 8 and 16 years in prison.
Please make your contribution online.