Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine?
Why is de-horning a rhino not a foolproof method of conservation?
What is the current estimated population of rhinos in South Africa?
What is the main reason rhino horn is in demand?
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How many rhinos were lost to poaching in 2023?
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Why do rhino owners and investors harvest rhino horns regularly?
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What is the estimated value of rhino horn on the black market in Vietnam?
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Why is the rhino horn stockpile a problem?
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What is the purpose of microchipping each rhino horn removed from rhino?
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What is the suggested solution to the problem of the rhino horn stockpile?
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Study Notes
Rhino Horn Trade
- Rhino horn is not unique in terms of its biochemistry, similar to other mammal horns, hooves, and hair
- Despite the 1977 global ban, rhino horn is illegally trafficked from Africa to Asia (mainly China and Vietnam) for use as a status symbol, in traditional Chinese medicine, and as an aphrodisiac
- Three Asiatic rhino species are near extinction, making African rhino (black and white) the main source of rhino horn
Rhino Poaching and Protection
- Rhino are poached (killed) for their horn, leading to 449 rhino deaths in 2023 alone
- Rhinos can be protected by guarding, relocating to lower-risk areas, or dehorning under anesthesia
- Dehorning reduces the financial reward for poachers, but data on its effectiveness is limited and results are mixed
- Rhino horns grow back, requiring regular dehorning to reduce poaching risk
Rhino Horn Stockpile
- Stockpiles consist of harvested horns, natural deaths, and confiscated horns, stored by rhino owners, investors, and the government
- In 2020, the South African government stockpile was 27,641kg, with 47,544kg in private hands
- The stockpiled horn is supposed to be stored securely to prevent theft and illegal sale
- Rhino horn can be traded legally within South Africa, but there is no local demand
Motives and Issues
- Stockpiling rhino horn is motivated by hope for a future international legal market, which would provide financial rewards
- The South African government lobbied to lift the international ban on trade in 2016, but the ban was upheld
- The stockpile contributes to the illegal wildlife trade, with stolen horns finding their way to the black market
- Seizures of illegal shipments have been traced back to South African stockpiles
- Destroying the stockpile would signal a commitment to no-trade and demonstrate the worthlessness of rhino horn as a commodity
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Description
A discussion about South Africa's rhino horn stockpile and its implications on illegal trading, featuring a report by the EMS Foundation and insights from ecologist Jason Gilchrist.