The most recent release from South African National Parks (SANParks) states that 152 rhinos have been lost this year as a result of poaching activity.

South African National Parks (SANParks) announced Wednesday that the latest figure for rhinos lost due to the country’s poaching surge is now 152.

Based on previous releases by SANParks, this year’s death toll had been conservatively reported at 127. However, the increased figure now accounts for rhino calves who have died as a result of their mothers being killed by poachers.

Black and white rhinos killed in South Africa

According to South Africa’s News 24, this year’s total of 152 rhinos includes Kruger National Park, the Provincial Parks, and private game owners.

• Kruger National Park: One black rhino and 65 white rhinos
• Provincial Parks: Three black rhinos and 42 white rhinos
• Private game owners: One black rhino and 40 white rhinos

The total number of rhinos lost to poaching in South Africa in 2009 has been reported at 122.

Rhino horn found to have no medicinal value

Recent research by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC found that most illegal rhino horn leaving southern Africa is destined for consumer markets in China and Vietnam, where many people unfortunately still believe cultural myths about the healing powers of rhino horn.

Despite overwhelming scientific evidence confirming that rhino horn actually has no medicinal properties, traditional Chinese medicine containing rhino horn has been used for thousands of years to treat an assortment of ailments, from fevers to boils – and even devil possession.

Check out this video of world-renowned rhino horn expert Dr. Raj Amin, who compares the medicinal effects of rhino horn to chewing one’s own fingernails:

Rhino horn trafficking part of organized crime

South Africa’s alarming increase in rhino poaching is in response to the lucrative rewards for providing illegal rhino horn to the traditional Chinese medicine market.

Recent information strongly suggests that rhino industry “insiders” in South Africa – such as trophy hunt operators, park rangers and managers, and private veterinarians – have been lured by the high profits of working with organized crime syndicates.

This infrastructure has provided rhino horn traffickers with exactly what they need: Access to rhinos, guns, tranquilizing drugs, small aircraft (including helicopters), and a network of unscrupulous contacts within one of the last places on earth where wild rhinos still survive.

Source: News 24

Image: istock.com

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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