Rhinoceroses
Rhino poaching in South Africa declines during coronavirus lockdown
South Africa, home to more than 80% of the world’s rhino population and the epicenter of rhino poaching, has seen a major decline in rhino poaching during the COVID-19 pandemic — a trend that conservationists would love to see continue as the country lifts its restrictions.
Poisoning rhino horns doesn’t hurt the rhinos, but it may keep poachers away
A rhino can cost a wildlife park more than $20,000 at auction — but its horn alone can be worth 10 times that much. Many parks and wildlife reserves are buying insurance to protect their investments, and that means an unusual requirement: poisoning the rhinos’ horns to ward off poachers.
Even evacuating South Africa’s rhinos may not save them from poachers
The rhinos of Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest game reserve, are under siege from poachers. But a plan to evacuate them to other other game parks might not help solve the poaching problem at all.The rhinos of Kruger National Park, South Africa’s largest game reserve, are under siege from poachers. But a plan to evacuate them to other other game parks might not help solve the poaching problem at all.
