Rhinos at Risk: Is Namibia Next?

Warning signs: Disturbing developments in Namibia could be edging the country’s rhino population closer to danger.

3 Comments Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, Endangered Species, illegal trade in rhino horn, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, Black Rhino, China, desert adapted black rhino, illegal rhino horn trade, Namibia, Otjiwa Safari Lodge, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, traditional Chinese medicine, trophy hunting, Vietnamese

30 Jan 12

‘Bogus Medicine: China’s Rhino Horn Scheme’ [Video]

Why does the demand for rhino horn persist? After all, rhino horn has no proven medicinal value. However, China (using rhinos imported from South Africa) is engaged in a profit-seeking scheme that depends on sick people using rhino horn instead of taking medicine.

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, Captive Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Education, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, Thoughts, opinions, observations by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged bogus medicine, China, China rhino farms, Chinese, Chinese rhino farms, illegal rhino horn trade, Longui Pharmaceutical, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, rhino horn cancer myth, Rhino Poaching, South Africa, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine

26 Jan 12

Revealed: China’s ‘Rhino Horn Cancer Treatment’ Scheme

Although it has been widely thought that the rumor of rhino horn’s alleged “cancer-curing” power started in Vietnam, we now strongly suspect that this rumor originated with (or was propagated by) China’s Longhui Pharmaceutical “rhino horn harvesting” project.

5 Comments Posted in African Rhinos, Asian Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged illegal rhino horn trade, Longhui Pharmaceutical, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, rhino horn cancer myth, Rhino Poaching, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine

26 Jan 12

Parliamentary #rhinohearing in Cape Town to Address Rhino Crisis

Public hearings have just commenced in Cape Town in hopes of finding a solution to the skyrocketing rate of rhino killings that have gripped South Africa. Use the hashtag #rhinohearing to follow breaking news and developments.

Posted in African Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged #rhinohearing, illegal rhino horn trade, Parliment rhino hearing Cape Town, Rhino Poaching, South Africa, traditional Chinese medicine, trophy hunting

20 Jan 12

India: Three Rhino Killers Shot Dead in Kaziranga National Park [Video]

A rhino killing attempt was thwarted by Kaziranga National Park security forces, who shot three gang members during a deadly five hour encounter.

Posted in Asian Rhinos, Greater One-Horned Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Indian rhino, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Asian rhino, Assam, Greater One-Horned Rhino, illegal rhino horn trade, India, Kaziranga National Park, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, traditional Chinese medicine

18 Jan 12

Record-Breaking Rhino Death Toll in South Africa

The WWF has confirmed South Africa’s rhino death toll for 2011 reached a record-breaking 448.

Posted in African Rhinos, Black Rhino, Endangered Species, illegal trade in rhino horn, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, White Rhinos by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, illegal rhino horn trade, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, South Africa, traditional Chinese medicine, Vietnamese

15 Jan 12

India: Suspect Arrested for Attempting to Kill Rhinos in Zoo

Police in Guwahati have arrested a man identified as Chin Khansong after he sneaked into the Assam State Zoo with a .303 rifle, ammunition, an axe, and a machete. The suspect confessed he was planning to kill “as many rhinos as possible” in order to sell their horns.

Posted in Asian Rhinos, Captive Rhinos, Endangered Species, Greater One-Horned Rhino, illegal trade in rhino horn, Indian rhino, Public Awareness, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Assam State Zoo, Chin Khansong, Chinese, Greater One-Horned Rhino, illegal rhino horn trade, Manipur, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, TCM, traditional Chinese medicine

19 Dec 11

South Africa’s Rhino Death Toll ‘At Least’ 443 for 2011

It’s mid-December 2011 and South Africa has lost at least 443 rhinos to the illegal rhino horn trade this year, surpassing 2010′s death toll of 333.

1 Comment Posted in African Rhinos, illegal trade in rhino horn, Public Awareness, Rhino Crime Syndicates, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching by Rhishja Cota-Larson
Tagged Africa, illegal rhino horn trade, Rhino Horn, Rhino Poaching, South Africa, traditional Chinese medicine

14 Dec 11

South African Court Sentences Chinese National to Jail for Rhino Horn Possession

The Germiston Regional Court has reportedly sentenced Chinese national Hsu Hsien Lung to six years in jail after he was found in possession of two rhino horns.