More white rhinos were illegally killed in South Africa in 2013 than in any previous year, according to government figures. A total of 1,004 animals were poached, representing a 50% increase over the previous 12 months. Campaigners say that a growing demand for rhino horn from markets in Vietnam and China is fuelling the killing. They are concerned that illegal hunting on this scale threatens the survival of the species in the long term. The White Rhino is one of the worlds greatest conservation success stories. At the end of the 19th century there were just 100 alive in South Africa. Today there are around 20,000 according to experts. But in recent years, the rapid rise of poaching has threatened to undermine the good work. In 2007, only 13 rhinos were killed in South Africa for their horns; in 2013, it was almost three a day. Campaigners say that they are concerned that at this rate, the number of deaths will soon surpass births leading to an inevitable decline.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 12:40:43 +0000