WWF Worried By Rhino Poaching

South Africa says that rhino poaching has fallen for the first time since 2007. Despite that bit of good news, the number of rhinos killed in neighbouring countries has risen which offsets the improvement. According to the government of South Africa , there were 1,175 rhinos illegally killed in 2015 which is slightly less than the 2014 figure of 1,215. The bad news is that there were 130 rhinos killed by poachers in Zimbabwe and Namibia during the same period which represents an increase of 200 per cent over the same period.

The situation is urgent

Ginette Hemley, senior vice president of wildlife conservation for WWF says that whilst countries such as South Africa intensify their efforts to stop poaching, the numbers still remind us just how urgent it is to quickly address the crisis across all fronts. She adds that whilst South Africa lies at the heart of the epidemic of rhino poaching, criminal networks appear to be extending their reach across the entire region. The problem being faced is demand for the rhino horn which is strong in Asia particularly in Vietnam.

Poachers expanding their reach

Whilst poachers continue to focus their efforts mainly on South Africa, the increase in figures of Zimbabwe and Namibia suggest that criminal networks are now targeting rhinos that live in what were previously thought to be secure areas. The three countries combined serve as home to nearly 95 per cent of all surviving African rhinos.

We need to act now

Poaching is the most immediate threat to wild rhinos, tigers and elephants. Demand for animal body parts is rampant all over the world with huge demand coming from Asia. WWF reiterates its stance that stopping poaching of all endangered species requires not just effective law enforcement but also needs the inclusion of local communities that live in and around protected areas. Together we need commit to finding a solution for reducing demand long term demand if we are to eradicate poaching.