At the root of the rhino crisis is the myth that rhino horn contains curative properties. World Rhino Day highlights efforts to debunk the myths and diminish the demand for rhino horn.
Rhinos are in crisis. Let’s not shy away from that fact. Let’s embrace that fact rather, as with awareness comes resolve.
The world knows just how threatened rhinos are. Sudan, the last male northern white rhino died in March this year. An iconic ambassador of his species, his death served to highlight more than ever how close to the brink of extinction the rest of them are, and with populations declining at a rapid rate due to large-scale poaching across Africa in particular, who knows how long rhinos will be around for?
White and Black rhinoceros populations number approximately 20,000 and 5000 respectively. The fact remains that as recently as the 1970s there were over 60,000 black rhinos in Africa, and the white rhino, the focus of one of the world’s greatest conservation stories in which the species was brought back from roughly 100 individuals at the beginning of the 20th century to number over 20,000, has for the first time in almost a century experienced a population decline as a direct result of escalating poaching levels.
Thankfully it is not all doom and gloom. Safe havens like Londolozi still exist in which rhino species are protected around the clock, and the integration of advanced technologies into anti-poaching efforts have meant that the men and women protecting rhinos on the ground can be one step ahead of would-be poachers. To be forewarned is to be forearmed:
With the recognition of the severity of the poaching crisis, outside investors have been contributing to both private reserves and national parks, and the benefits are starting to show in 2018.
In South Africa as of the end of August 2018:
- 183 less rhino have been poached compared to this time last year .
- In the Kruger National Park, 40 less rhino were poached compared to this time last year.
- Over 400 arrests have been made of suspected rhino poachers and 13 traffickers so far this year.
Whilst these figures may not seem overly impressive at first glance, in the context of the poaching trends of the last decade, the turnaround has been huge. The number of rhinos poached increased exponentially, rising from 83 to 1215 every year between 2008 and 2014!
Then in 2015, finally, the number of poached rhinos decreased from the year before. And they have decreased every year since that.
Although the number of rhinos lost across the country and Africa as a whole is still unacceptably high, the mere fact that a drop is occurring shows that ground is being made, albeit slowly.
The private sector in particular has seen success after tightening their protection measures, as private reserves generally have less area to be covered by their anti-poaching teams, making patrols and surveillance that much more effective. The safe havens that Londolozi and other reserves represent for rhinos are fast becoming the bastions of hope in a crisis that won’t be averted overnight.
As wonderful as it is to have a global initiative like World Rhino Day that showcases the plight of these animals, the reality is that their continued protection is an around-the-clock, 365 days a year effort.
Thankfully though, through repeated drives and campaigns, the required awareness of the threats to their survival is ever-spreading, and the hard fight to save the species, that is sometimes taking place in the face of almost overwhelming odds, is slowly – and hopefully inexorably – gathering momentum.
Lovely blog James. The poaching of our rhino and the efforts from passionate conservationists to stop it is very close to my heart. It is heart warming to know that hardly any rhinos are poached in the Sabi Sands. According to reports the authorities are clamping down and starting to win, albeit very slowly in the fight against poaching in Kruger. There was an article in Friday’s Lowvelder about the kingpins that were arrested. It is hair raising to read about poaching and the rhino orphans that are left behind. Everyone of us should try to do our best to stop rhino poaching. If it is volunteering or contributing to creating safe havens for rhino every little bit help.
Hi Marinda,
Yes there are some great victories being won, and even heading slowly in the right direction is better than nothing.
Best,
Lovely article, I don’t think many South Africans realise how difficult it is to see a rhino in the wild anywhere else but South Africa
Hi Ian,
Indeed, as they are now extinct in many parts of their former range. Fingers crossed that we’re about to turn a corner and their former range begins to be filled once more, like it has been in some areas in Botswana.
Best regards
With technology today drones can be flown from corner to corner of Londolozi and if properly monitored I do not see how even one poacher could successfully enter the property and complete a poaching. Once they are identified the eradication team is dispatched and the poachers are eliminated once and for all. Good plan
Hi Andrew and Daniel,
There are some great technologies being used by Anti-poaching units all over the country, but a lot of it isn’t divulged so as not to allow poachers to come up with ways to combat its use.
Best regards
Thanks for sharing James ….. i did the same .
Technology should there to protect the animal species …. more than protect humans .
Unfortunately these relentless powerfull guys won’t stop buying the last technology ….. it would be much better if S.A. and U.SA. governement would stop supporting the weapon industry ….by limiting usage and extremely strict regulation.
We were graced with the good fortune of witnessing these amazing creatures during our stay at Londolozi. Again, it was the trip of a lifetime. Thank you for all you do to provide safe haven. ?
Hi Loriann,
I’m glad you got to see rhinos here on your visit. We are very fortunate to enjoy the sightings we do!
Best regards
This is a well written article James. Certainly the passion of the private game reserves in addition to the National Parks is evident for world rhino day. It’s heartening to learn that the number of rhino deaths has diminished slightly, yet it’s a continuous struggle to keep the public actively interested in supporting these amazing animals.
I love observing these mostly quiet, shy , nurturing members of nature’s universe and hope for their continued survival, especially the black rhino which I’ve never seen in Sabi Sand. Maybe this year?! ???
Thanks Denise.
Black Rhinos are very rare on Londolozi, but I believe in the southern parts of the reserve they are seen a bit more regularly as the habitat is better suited for them.
But who knows, maybe this is your year indeed…!
It’s so encouraging to read of the increasing successes in rhino protection, thanks to the efforts of so many!
Hi Mary Beth,
Yes indeed there are many successes all across Africa. There is still a long way to go but good people are doing good things all over the continent!
There truly times when it is so clear that animals are smarter than humans. Thank heavens for those helping to save not the rhino but also the other endangered species. Thank heavens for places like Londolozi whose anti poaching squad I hope takes no prisoners. Good luck to them Victoria
Hi Victoria.
Thanks for the comments,
Best regards
I heard recently kid a tragedy in Kenya involving rhinos.
It related to a transfer of young orphaned rhinos from Nairobi to the game reserve at Tsavo. The young animals were rescued taken to the orphanage that Dame Daphne Shedrick had dedicated many years of her life to. For political reasons it was deemed these youngsters be moved to the game park but of the 9 animals loaded on to the lorries only 2 arrived alive at their destination. Apparently a case of mis handling of the rhinos. It saddens me greatly when we take 3 steps forward only to go back 4 steps.
Hi Corinne.
That is certainly sad but if two survived it sounds like 4 steps forward and 3 steps back, not the other way round as you state. Sometimes things can go wrong even though they are done with the best intentions.
I know the Daphne Sheldrick institute has done amazing work for both rhinos and elephants; long may they continue to do so.
Best regards
It is both encouraging and heartwarming to read about the extensive determination to stop poaching. It is a horrible thing. Your srticle has given me hope. Excellently written James!
I’m so grateful to Cisco and Dimension Data for creating this technology! Doc Watson, you’re a biscuit!