Cape Times - In celebration of World Rhino Day, the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) has thanked those who dedicate their lives to save the iconic animal.
It aims to highlight the plight of the five rhino species: the black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.
South Africa is home to 80% of all rhino and according to the WWF, 6680 rhinos have been poached in the country since 2006.
Jo Shaw, the WWF Wildlife’s programme manager, said: “As we celebrate World Rhino Day (today), we would like to acknowledge all those whose efforts are aimed at ensuring that rhinos will continue to thrive in our wild spaces.
“It takes a wide range of committed people to make rhino conservation happen - from rangers, to veterinarians, to customs officials, to scientists, to prosecutors, to communicators and many more - we’d like to thank everyone who continues to dedicate themselves to the cause.”
The organisation said rhino poachers have shifted their attention to vulnerable populations in KwaZulu-Natal, and beyond the Kruger National Park.
Presenter Bonné de Bod, along with film-maker Susan Scott, were granted exclusive access to the 2017 Rhino Census, which took place in the Kruger Park recently.
The duo are working on anti-rhino poaching documentary STROOP, due out early next year.
De Bod said the number of rhinos in South Africa continue to decrease yearly.
“Last year’s figure was an estimate of between 6 649 and 7 830 rhinos in Kruger for 2016, which was a 16 to 20% drop from the previous year’s numbers,” she said.
The Institute for Security Studies said yesterday wildlife crime was the fourth-most lucrative organised felony worldwide, and one of the most expensive security
challenges facing southern Africa.
According to Global Financial, estimations are that rhino poaching costs as
much as $23 billion (R299bn) a year.
The firm said South Africa spends R200 million annually, and employs up to 450 rangers, to protect the Kruger National Park from poachers.
ENACT is a new EU-supported project that monitors and develops responses to transnational organised crime in Africa.
ENACT’s Eric Pelser said: “Combating wildlife crime must remain a priority. We need to pay more attention to the aspects of wildlife crime that are harder to measure, such as the drivers of demand and how poachers and smugglers are recruited.
“Better understanding leads to better tactics. We can’t afford to get it wrong any more.”