10-Jul-09 9:00 AM CST

Asian Demand Fuels Rhino Poaching Boom: Conservationists

GENEVA (AFP) — Demand for rhinoceros horns in Asia, where they are prized in traditional medicine, is driving rhinoceros poaching to a 15-year-high, major conservation groups said Thursday in a report.

"Illegal rhino horn trade to destinations in Asia is driving the killing, with growing evidence of involvement of Vietnamese, Chinese and Thai nationals in the illegal procurement and transport of rhino horn out of Africa," conservation groups told a meeting of CITES, the UN convention against endangered species trade.

The WWF, International Union for the Conservation of Nature and affiliated wildlife monitoring network TRAFFIC said that an average of 3.5 rhinos were poached every month across Africa between 2000 and 2005.

But over three times as many, or 12.4 rhinos on average, are now being killed illegally in South Africa and Zimbabwe each month, they added.

"This is the worst rhino poaching we have seen in many years and it is critical for governments to stand up and take action to stop this deadly threat to rhinos worldwide," Susan Lieberman, director of WWF's Species Programme, said in a statement.

In 2008, at least 162 rhinos were killed in the two southern African countries, and another 62 have been poached during the first half of 2009, said the groups.

The toll could still increase as more evidence was uncovered, they noted.

"2008 will probably represent the highest level of illegal rhinoceros killing in at least 15 years," the conservation agencies said in their report.

The largest markets for illegally procured horns are traditionally in the Middle East, especially Yemen, where they are prized as dagger handles.

However, CITES spokesman Vasquez said that there is now a worrying trend that the illegal trade is turning increasingly to Asia where there is demand for usage in traditional medicine.

"There has been a sudden strong demand in Asia," he told AFP, warning that poaching is "undermining at least 20 years of conservation efforts in southern Africa."

In South Africa, where a quota of rhino hunting is allowed, poachers are posing as trophy hunters, he said.

"We have seen some evidence that organised crime is now involved in this trade, and this is very worrying," Vasquez explained, noting that "sophisticated techniques, corruption and abuse of diplomatic immunity" have been used in this illegal trade.

Late last year, Vietnam said it would recall one of its diplomats from South Africa after she was filmed conducting an illegal transaction in rhino horn.

Conservation groups highlighted Vietnam, which they described as a "major destination for illegal commerce in rhinoceros horn" since about five years ago.

"In that country, ongoing research is uncovering evidence that rhinoceros horns are currently being promoted for medical uses that greatly expand the scope of rhinoceros horn usage as described in the traditional literature," the report said.

It highlighted evidence that rhino horn was used for cancers.

The conservation groups urged CITES to get African and Asian states that have stocks of rhinoceros horns or derivatives to declare these holdings.

Such information is necessary so that "firm international action can be taken to arrest this immediate threat to rhinoceros populations worldwide," they said.

News items on this page are from external sources and the International Rhino Foundation cannot be held responsible for the authenticity of their content, nor for the continuing presence of original links.

Click a star to rate!

Rating: 0.00 / 5.00 - Not yet rated.
0 ratings