Taking a stand against rhino poaching

More than 800 rhinos killed in just two years

December 2011: Since 1970, nearly 90 per cent of the world's rhino population has been wiped out. In the past two years, more than 800 rhinos have been killed worldwide. In 2011, almost 400 rhinos have been savagely poached in South Africa. And fewer than five per cent of poachers are actually convicted.

GONE FOR EVER: The western black rhino. Picture: Dr Richard Emslie / IUCN

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is taking a stand against the poaching crisis through the Operation Stop Poaching Now initiative. IRF has partnered with security experts in South Africa to improve anti-poaching operations in 11 highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Rangers have an unbelievably difficult and dangerous job
Funds donated in support of the campaign will help provide rangers with training in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications, and rhino identification and monitoring. They will also receive scene-of-crime kits containing basic investigation equipment including a camera, metal detector, GPS, finger-printing materials, and sealable evidence bags.

‘It's an unbelievably difficult and dangerous job,' said Susie Ellis, executive director of the IRF. ‘Every day, hundreds of rangers in Zimbabwe and South Africa put their lives on the line to protect rhinos and they need our help.'

Ellis explained that poachers are exterminating the world's rhinos, solely for their horns. Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same substance hair and fingernails are comprised of. The horns sell for prices equivalent to diamonds and gold on the black market for use in traditional Asian medicine.

Poaching gangs are becoming more sophisticated
Responding to high demand and high prices, poaching gangs are becoming more sophisticated, more vicious and much harder to catch.

‘Authorities estimate that fewer than five per cent of rhino poachers are convicted - they are literally getting away with murder,' said Ellis. ‘But there are thousands of dedicated, passionate rangers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other range countries trying to stand in between the rhinos and the poachers.

‘The western black rhino has already been declared extinct, and experts believe that the northern white rhino and Javan rhino are destined to meet the same fate if the poaching crisis continues.

‘Rhinos are resilient, and the rangers work tirelessly to protect them,' she added. ‘With great support, we can paint a different picture of healthy rhino mums with newborn calves, and of rhino populations growing and spreading out across southern Africa.'