Alarm bells ringing over China’s rhino imports

White rhino are the most docile of the rhino species, and would be the easiest to farm. Credit Wildlife Extra

March 2010. Since 2000, China has reportedly purchased 141 rare white rhinos from South Africa. White rhinos can be bought at auction for between $30 - 75,000 in South Africa. This large number of rhinos has started alarm bells ringing in conservation circles as it is patently more than would be needed for zoos and wildlife parks.

The obvious explanation is that the rhinos are being farmed for their horn, which is much in demand in Asia amongst misguided people who believe it holds medicinal properties.

White rhinos are now the most numerous of all rhino species, numbering around 17,500. Amazingly, they were once thought extinct until a small herd of 50 was found alive in South Africa. White rhino are gregarious, and can easily be kept in herds and in enclosures. They are the most docile of rhino species, and the easiest to breed in captivity.

According to The Times, the unusually high number of rhinos being imported to China is the subject of a report to be presented at the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. There is no evidence that the rhinos are being farmed for their horns, but wildlife monitoring groups are concerned at the increase in purchases of the animal by China.