A National Geographic article about South Africa’s rhino poaching crisis has pointed the public finger where it belongs: China.

In a much-appreciated public analysis that was long overdue, National Geographic broke away from popular media platitudes and explained China’s role in the rhino poaching epidemic that has hit South Africa.

Here’s a quick look at the key points from the article – South Africa Battles to Save Rhinos from High-Tech Poachers – that add up to a well-deserved win for our side:

Rhino poaching syndicates “funded by an Asian market”

What a welcome change to see the issue addressed right up front: Asian markets are funding the slaughter of South Africa’s rhinos.

Law-enforcement officials say they are in a battle against organized criminals armed with the most sophisticated military hardware and funded by an Asian market willing to pay upward of a million U.S. dollars for a single rhino horn.

Demand for illegal rhino horn comes from China

Despite the fact that scientific analysis has confirmed rhino horn has no medicinal effects on human, demand for illegal rhino horn is booming in China. Cultural superstitions credit rhino horn with being a “remedy” for a long list of common ailments – from fever to acne.

… the main cause of the growth in demand is being attributed to the newfound wealth in China where it is used in medicines and as an aphrodisiac, despite persistent scientific proof that it contains no such properties. It has been explained over and over that it consists of no more than keratin, which is the same type of protein found in hair and nails.

“We don’t go to China and steal their panda bears.”

Pelham Jones, chairman of the Private Rhino Owners Group, voiced the growing sentiments of people who have had enough of the bloodshed.

We must speak out. We don’t go to China and steal their panda bears.

Is it time for South Africa to confront China about its role in rhino poaching?

Ed Hern, owner of the Rhino & Lion Nature reserve, lost his beloved rhino cow called “Big Queenstown” – and her calf – to poachers last month. Big Queenstown was also six months pregnant.

She has been with us for 20 years and has had eight calves. It is like a death in the family.

According the article, Mr. Hern also brought up what has likely been on everyone’s mind: The South African government should talk to the Chinese government to get it to stop the illicit trade.

Rhino horn is NOT medicine

The author, Nat Geo News Watch contributing editor Leon Marshall, is an environmental writer in South Africa and has been executive editor for Africa’s largest newspaper group for years.

In concluding his article, Mr. Marshall states the following:

Ultimately, the message needs to get through to the end users that the magical qualities they attribute to the horn simply do not exist. What they are paying their money for is really worth no more than powdered hair and nails.

In other words: Rhino horn is NOT medicine.

Read the full article here.

Image via South Africa National Parks

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. Besides writing Rhino Horn is Not Medicine, I am the author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, the Editor of Project Pangolin, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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