Recent Headlines
27 Oct 12 India: Rhino horn Trafficking gang members nabbed.
17 Oct 12 South Africa: 455 Rhinos killed in 289 days.
5 Oct 12 South Africa: 430 Rhinos killed in 277 days.
3 Oct 12 Nepal: 14 Rhino Traffickers sentenced to jail.
2 Oct 12 India: 5 Rhinos killed in 3 days.
15 Sept 12 U.S.A: Smugglers plead guilty to Rhino horn trafficking.
Rhinos have the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most endangered animals on earth. Over the last 40 years, the worlds population has declined by 90%, and if it were not for 100 years of dedicated conservation the species would be extinct. Between January 2010 and 1 September 2012 poachers killed 1,120 rhinos in South Africa alone.
The illegal trade in Rhino horn has risen sharply over the last few years as demand from China - where Rhino horn is prized as "medicine" - and Vietnam - where horns are used as expensive objects' d'art - has grown to an unprecedented level. Unfortunate superstitions and myths attribute medical properties to the Rhino horn. (Extensive scientific research has found no medicinal properties whatsoever as the horn is made of keratin, the same stuff hair and finger nails are made of.)
Both myself and my kids have been in the fortunate position of having experienced the joy and the thrill of seeing Rhinos in the wild. If the indiscriminate slaughter does not cease my grand children certainly won't.
It does not have to be this way. These fantastic creatures can be saved for future generations to enjoy and marvel at, but we need to act now. That is why I've teamed up with RHINOSE FOUNDATION & RHINOSE DAY
Rhinose Day is the core project of the Rhinose Foundation, a non-profit trust registered in South Africa, working to stop poaching and to educate people on the value of wildlife in general and rhinos in particular.
When you contribute to this blog you also contribute to Rhinose Day. Click here for more information.
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