Save the rhino by the horns
African rhinos endure a huge problem of poaching. The rhinos are sought by poachers, traffickers, international criminal groups and even tourists. On 15 July 2018, an internet search for "rhino poaching" showed over 48700 media references on the subject. People from Asia are the prime wildlife consumers. In China and Viet Nam mainly, the demand for rhino horn has gone beyond any level-headed imagination, fuelled by endless inspirations of local traditions and attitudes, a situation exacerbated by wrong and misinformed perceptions of wildlife products. In fact, the recent attempt of the Chinese government reversing of a 25-years ban (NatGeo 2018) that would allow the use of rhinoceros horns and tiger bones in traditional medicine, it is the evidence of ill-fated intentions. Most Chinese consider obtaining parts of protected wild animal species is unpopular in their society. However, those who acquire the products view the possession of ivory and rhino horn as a status symbol or a panacea for all sorts of maladies. According to a recent study of consumer demand for elephant, pangolin, rhino and tiger parts by the United States Agency for International Development Wildlife Asia (USAID Wildlife Asia), Beijing Normal University and GlobeScan (2018), 20 percent of the 1800 Chinese citizens interviewed earlier this year in six major cities think that buying elephant, rhino, pangolin and tiger parts is "socially acceptable." Let us hope that these figures do not apply, at the same ratio, to the whole Chinese population. Organized rhino slaughter works at five levels. Col Johan Jooste, South African commander of the Hawks' Endangered Species Section, gave a thorough account of the scenery and operation of poaching syndicates (Eloff 2018). In specific, Jooste stated: "It could take months or years to establish an evidentiary link between the levels and the acts performed by other role players".
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