Humankind has not woven the web of life. We are but one thread within it. Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves. All things are bound together. All things connect. – Chief Seattle

As the demand for illegal rhino horn continues to grow, so does the list of victims.

Among these victims are baby rhinos who are not only orphaned, but have witnessed the brutal murders and mutilations of their mothers.

Here are just a few of the atrocities which left baby rhinos behind – atrocities committed because of medicinal myths about rhino horn:

• June 20^th, 2011: A four-month-old calf was orphaned when a female white rhino was killed on a private game farm in Hoedspruit, Limpopo Province.
• June 5^th, 2011: Swaziland’s first rhino poaching tragedy in nearly 20 years left a young calf behind.
• December 29^th, 2010: A six-month-old calf was orphaned in North West Province.
• December 13^th, 2010: The bodies of three male rhinos were found in the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, and a female in the Emakhosini-Ophathe Heritage Park. A young calf was left behind by the killing of the mother rhino.

During the first week of December 2010, two female rhinos – mother and daughter – were brutally murdered in the Botsalano Game Reserve near the Botswana border.

The mother rhino’s younger calf was left alone. Read An Orphaned Baby Rhino Gone Too Soon: Vusi’s Story.

In the fall of 2010, a young calf was orphaned in Nepal when her mother was electrocuted by a fence that had been illegally set by a farmer.

Unspeakable crimes

Sometimes, the baby rhinos are murdered, too.

• May 2 ^nd, 2011: A mother rhino and her four-month-old calf were slaughtered for their horns in Limpopo Province.
• April 20^th, 2011: Three rhinos, including one calf, were murdered in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

At the beginning of 2008, a greater one-horned rhino and her calf were both killed in Kaziranga National Park, India.

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGES.

Who among us can forget the dark day in Zimbabwe, at Imire Safari Ranch on November 7^th, 2007 when three black rhinos and an unborn calf were brutally slain – leaving a baby black rhino orphaned and traumatized?

WARNING: THIS VIDEO CONTAINS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC IMAGES.

Note about the video: It has since been determined that the market for illegal rhino horn is driven by demand in China and Vietnam, not Yemen.

The ‘moral chasm’

How can we reconcile the moral chasm that lies between a 5,000-pound rhino carcass and a few pounds of harvested horn? It’s difficult not to feel that all of humanity has let these animals down by failing to protect them from our species’ worst impulses. – Jeff Corwin, from his book 100 Heartbeats: The Race to Save Earth’s Most Endangered Species.

How can we, indeed?

Photo and image credits: #1 & 5 © iStockphoto.com; #2 courtesy and © Pam Krzyza; #3 courtesy and © Suman Bhattarai (PARC/Nepal); #4 © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, 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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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Horns up! It’s a girl!

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda is celebrating the historic birth of the country’s first female rhino in 30 years. This is the second time mother “Nandi” has made history, as she gave birth in June 2009 to Uganda’s very first calf – named Obama – following the regional extinction of the species in 1982.

The new arrival is the fourth baby rhino born at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, after Obama, Augustus, and Justice.

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary and Rhino Fund Uganda are offering the opportunity to name the new baby, with bids starting at USD $3,000 for the privilege. Contact the Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary here for details.

More babies are on the way, as two of Ziwa’s female rhinos are expected to give birth soon.

To learn more about Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, visit their website at rhinofund.org – and check out the cute baby rhino photos on the “Rhino Babies” page.

Congratulations to Nandi and Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary!

Photo of baby rhino “Obama” courtesy of Angie Genade, Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary.

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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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Yet another rhino killed to meet demand for illegal rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine.

A female rhino has been found murdered in the Mafikeng Game Reserve, and her six-month-old calf is missing. Both of the mother rhino’s horns had been removed. A second adult rhino was found with bullet wounds, and she is expected to survive.

This rhino was the second killed in North West Province in the last week. At least 310 rhinos in total have been slaughtered for their horns in South Africa during 2010.

Continued use of illegal rhino horn in traditional ‘medicines’

Illegal rhino horn is in highly sought after for use in traditional medicines in China and Vietnam, despite the fact rhino horn has been extensively analyzed and contains no medicinal properties.

Research conducted by the wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC found that most rhino horns leaving Southern Africa are being smuggled to China and Vietnam.

It has also been noted that the spreading Chinese footprint in Southern Africa has placed the demand for rhino horn perilously close to the supply, and counter poaching reports have linked the increase in rhino and elephant killings to a flood of Chinese weapons in the region.

There are further concerns that a state-funded 2008 rhino horn research proposal from China served as one of the catalysts for the surge in rhino killings across Southern Africa by encouraging the use of rhino horn, and that the researchers are attempting to circumvent CITES research provisions by farming rhinos.

‘Insiders’ involved in illegal rhino horn trade

The continued killing on African soil points to “insiders” from within the South African conservation community, who are apparently operating with unrestrained greed and cruelty, hoping to cash in on the ignorance and myths surrounding the use of rhino horn.

There is an in-depth look at this disturbing topic at Are ‘Insiders’ Intentionally Fueling Demand for Illegal Rhino Horn?, which notes that nefarious business alliances, private stockpile leakage, dehorning scams, and legalized trade speculation are exacerbating South Africa’s rhino crisis.

Current system of ‘bail and release’ not a deterrent

It is also believed that the South African courts are a weak link in the battle to protect the country’s rhinos.

Despite diligent intelligence work and the subsequent arrests of 147 people in 2010, the South African courts have repeatedly granted affordable bail amounts as “punishment” for rhino-related crimes, rather than administer serious deterrents.

Source: “Rhino killed in North West reserve.” News24. 29 December 2010.

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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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

The littlest victims of South Africa’s rhino crisis.

During the first week of December, two female rhinos – mother and daughter – were brutally murdered in the Botsalano Game Reserve near the Botswana border. But they were not the only innocent victims.

Rangers also found a third family member – a young male calf, blind and dehydrated.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

The terrified little calf had been wandering around the bodies of his family for three days. In an attempt to save his life, he was taken to a reserve in Gauteng, where he was named “Vusi”.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

Sadly, despite every effort and the dedication of his caretakers, Lorinda Hern of the Rhino and Lion Nature Reserve announced this morning that little Vusi passed away during the night of December 16^th, 2010.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

The Management and staff of the Reserve, especially the animal caretakers and volunteers who had devoted so much time to keeping Vusi going and had grown extremely attached to him in the process, are devastated by the loss. We find some solace in the knowledge that we did everything humanly possible in our efforts to save Vusi’s life, and in the fact that right up to the very end, he was truly loved.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

One of Vusi’s dedicated caretakers, Pam Krzyza, shared a memory of the little calf.

He always found comfort with some one around him, I suppose because he was blind. He would just lean against us, resting his face and his lips on our feet.
There was someone with him 24/7. I think his little heart was so sore at the loss of him mom and sibling, that his spirit just gave up.

We have and probably still will shed many tears over him. He was really special and taught us all so much about the value of life and prioritizing what is really important. We will miss and love Vusi always.

Rest in peace, precious Vusi.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

Two little rays of hope

Fortunately, there is good news to share. Two orphaned rhinos at the reserve are healthy and thriving: Velo and Vuma.

Photo by Pam Krzyza

Velo was taken in by the reserve after his mother was killed in Kruger National Park.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

Now he is an energetic and playful 18-month-old bull, who loves to pose for the camera.

Photo by Pam Krzyza

Vuma came to the reserve in July after his mother was killed in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve. Vuma is less keen on people than Velo and can be a bit of a bully, even though he is the younger of the two rhinos.

Photo credit: Pam Krzyza

Like all young “boys”, Velo and Vuma love to play and spar with each other.

Prayers and hope

We are deeply saddened by the loss of little Vusi and our thoughts and prayers are with his dedicated caretakers. We know that people all over the world are grateful for the care that is given to Velo and Vuma, so that they may live long and healthy lives.

Source: Lorinda Hern (press release 17 December 2010); Pam Kryza, pers. comm.

All photos courtesy of Pam Krzyza

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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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

A baby rhino has been born in Nepal’s Bardia National Park.

Bardia National Park in Nepal has welcomed the second baby rhino in just three months, bringing the Park’s population of greater one-horned rhinos to 25.

According to Assistant Conservation Officer Ramesh Thapa, the new calf is a healthy male and was born in the Baghmachan area of the Park.

Most of the rhinos in Bardia National Park have names – such as Thute Mau, Tikhe Pothi, Budhune, and Terrible Thito – and this baby rhino is expected to be named soon.

Rhinos on the rebound

Thanks to the capture of a notorious rhino poaching gang in May 2008, the rhino population in Bardia National Park has a chance to recover.

Fortunately since improved monitoring and the capture of a gang of poachers in May 2008 no further [rhino poaching] cases have been reported.

The first baby rhino to have been born in Bardia National Park since the gang’s capture was recently celebrated.

Greater one-horned rhinos in Nepal

Nepal is home to approximately 435 greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis), who live in the protected areas of Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve.

Chitwan National Park also enjoyed a rhino baby boom with the birth of eight new calves earlier this year.

Greater one-horned rhinos were once widespread throughout the northern floodplains and nearby foothills of the Indian sub-continent between Indo-Myanmar border in the east, and Sindh River basin, Pakistan in the west. Today, the remaining 2,850 greater one-horned rhinos are found only in a few protected areas in northeastern India and lowland Nepal.

Traditional medicine myths continue to threaten rhinos

Although the greater one-horned rhino population is steadily increasing, these rhinos remain under threat of being killed for their horns.

Despite the fact that extensive scientific analysis has confirmed that rhino horn has no medicinal properties, myths and superstitions about rhino horn persist throughout China and Vietnam, where rhino horn is considered a key ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine.

Sources: My Republica
DNPWC (2009) The Status And Distribution of The Greater One-Horned Rhino in Nepal. Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation, Kathmandu, Nepal.

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Without a wildlife care center, the staff at Chitwan National Park quite literally has its hands full with the recent rescue of orphaned rhinos.

Although Nepal is a country filled with wildlife richness, orphaned and injured animals often become casualties, due to the current lack of a rescue center and veterinary care.

Recently, two baby rhinos were separated from their mothers when the Narayani River flooded during the monsoon season.

Another was orphaned when her mother was electrocuted by a fence that had been illegally set by a farmer.

Despite best efforts, many animals do not survive

Orphaned rhinos, along with other wildlife rescues, are sent to the Chitwan National Park headquarters, where the staff does their best to provide care. Sometimes, animals are transported to the small and already crowded Central Zoo in Kathmandu.

Sadly, best efforts are not always enough, and without expertise and veterinary care, orphaned and injured animals often die.

Unfortunately, this is what happened to one of the baby rhinos that was rescued from the Narayani River.

Although the tiny calf seemed fine at first, he was thought to have suffered internal injuries that could only have been diagnosed and treated by a veterinarian or other expert.

Rhinos could be saved with veterinary care

Nepal loses several rhinos yearly due to human-rhino conflict, which can manifest in electrocution (even though the setting of electric fences is illegal) and poisoning (also illegal). In addition, rhinos that survive attacks by poachers often die as a result of infected wounds from bullets and axes.

Orphaned calves quickly die without proper care.

Mr. Suman Bhattarai, conservationist and founder of Partnership for Rhino Conservation (PARC) Nepal, pointed out that while Nepal has set aside protected areas for wildlife, there is not even one wildlife treatment facility.

Although there are ten national parks, three wildlife reserves, three conservation areas and one hunting reserve in Nepal, there is no wildlife veterinary center.

Mr. Bhattarai further explained that without a rescue center, the situation will become increasingly worse for wildlife.

Many rhinos have died, due to infected wounds and orphan cases. Similarly, there were many more losses of endangered and vulnerable wildlife species, such as tigers, leopards, turtles and tortoises, deer, and golden monitor lizards, just to name a few.

If this scenario continues, Nepal will face a huge loss in wildlife biodiversity. The issues of climate change and flooding, erosion, poaching and human-wildlife conflicts are increasing year by year, so that means there will be even more cases of injured and orphaned animals.

He added that a wildlife rescue and treatment center would ensure the overall ecology of Nepal.

If enough wildlife veterinary facilities with technicians are arranged, it would provide the opportunity to increase the population of sensitive wildlife species, as well as create harmony between wildlife and the local community.

By ensuring the health of our wildlife, we ensure the healthy ecology of Nepal.

Fortunately, Mr. Bhattarai is one of Nepal’s leading young conservationists who believes in taking action.

Planning for the future of Nepal’s wildlife

The urgent need for a wildlife rescue and treatment center has prompted Mr. Bhattarai and his colleagues to begin exploring the possibilities.

Together with a small team (including Saving Rhinos), a plan for creating the much-needed wildlife rescue center is now in the early stages.

We will be sure to keep you posted on the developments, and information about how you can help will be coming soon.

Source: Suman Bhattarai, Partnership for Rhino Conservation (PARC), Nepal

Photos courtesy of Suman Bhattarai

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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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Chitwan National Park has welcomed eight baby rhinos into the world!

Wonderful news: Nepal’s Chitwan National Park is enjoying a ‘baby boom’ of eight newborn rhinos!

The most recent baby – a male – was born just ten days ago to “Sainli”, a 15-year-old female rhino. Sainli is one of the rhinos fitted with a GPS collar, which park officials say has made it possible to monitor rhino births more closely.

Chitwan National Park’s Chief Conservation officer said via My Republica that Sainli and her new baby are both healthy.

According to National Nature Conservation Trust’s Naresh Subedi, two of the eight new baby rhinos are the offspring of females “Rosy” and “Poke”, and were born within the last 60 days.

Greater one-horned rhinos in Nepal

Nepal is home to approximately 435 greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis), which occupy Chitwan National Park, Bardia National Park, and Shukla Phanta Wildlife Reserve.

While the greater one-horned rhino population is steadily increasing, these rhinos remain under threat of poaching for their horns.

Although extensive scientific analysis has confirmed that rhino horn has no medicinal properties, myths and superstitions about rhino horn persist throughout China and Vietnam, where rhino horn is considered a key ingredient of traditional Chinese medicine.

You might also enjoy our fantastic photo gallery of greater one-horned rhinos in Nepal!

Source: My Republica

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

The Assam Forest Department returned a baby rhino to her mother after the two became separated.

Assam forest officials and a team from the Center for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) rescued a 45-day-old rhino calf from a trench and reunited her with her mother in Haldibari Reserve Forest .

Forest officials heard the distress calls of the mother rhino, and upon investigating, found that her tiny calf had fallen into a trench and could not climb out by herself. The mother and calf are presumed to have crossed National Highway 37 towards the Karbi Anglong hills to avoid flooded areas of Kaziranga National Park.

Veterinarian Dr. Anil Deka, who assisted with the rescue, said via The Assam Tribune that highway traffic was halted during the rescue operation.

The rhinos were perhaps grazing near Hathikuli TE, when the calf fell into the trench. We could hear the calls of the mother rhino which was hiding in the nearby woodlands and was clearly agitated. As the NH was barely 100 metres from the hiding place of the mother, the Forest Department officials stopped traffic during the operation to prevent alarming the rhinos.

The reunion of mother and calf marked an exciting achievement by the CWRC. Currently, three orphan rhino calves and two subadult rhinos whose mothers could not be found are being hand raised at the Center.

After releasing the calf near the mother’s hiding place, the reunion was confirmed when both rhinos could be heard grunting to each other.

Source: The Assam Tribune

Photo: 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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

A female rhino has been butchered by poachers in a South African game reserve.

A female rhino in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve is the latest atrocity in the illegal rhino horn trade – killed by poachers who crudely slashed off her horns.

And there is another victim of this shameful crime: Her helpless nine-month-old calf.

According the Independent Online, employees of the reserve found the rhino Wednesday morning. Police are currently investigating “positive leads” in the case.

Reported number of rhinos killed in South Africa: 2007 – present

This is at least the eighth rhino murdered in South Africa during the past month, and the 125^th of the year; however, the total could be closer to 130.

Illegal rhino killing has skyrocketed since 2008.

• 2007: 13 rhinos killed
• 2008: 83 rhinos killed
• 2009: 122 rhinos killed

Poaching syndicates and industry ‘insiders’

Since 2008, South Africa has been ruthlessly targeted by rhino poaching syndicates, which are believed to be working with industry “insiders” to slaughter rhinos in response to the demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam.

These “insiders” include trophy hunt operators, park rangers, and even veterinarians.

Rhino horn contains no medicinal properties

Although a belief in the “healing powers” of rhino horn are driving the illegal trade, rhino horn has actually been extensively analyzed and found to contain no medicinal properties.

In fact, Dr. Raj Amin, one of the world’s leading rhino horn experts, notes that consuming rhino horn has the same effect as chewing one’s own fingernails. Check out the video below:

Unfortunately, the cultural myths that attribute healing properties to rhino horn are deeply entrenched, as rhino horn has been a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years.

And as long as these myths continue, rhino poaching syndicates will have plenty of business.

Source: Independent Online

Photo: istock.com

Note: Updated July 15, 2010

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.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.