Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is the primary purpose of rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine?
What is the primary purpose of rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine?
Why is de-horning a rhino not a foolproof method of conservation?
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 current estimated population of rhinos in South Africa?
What is the main reason rhino horn is in demand?
What is the main reason rhino horn is in demand?
Signup and view all the answers
How many rhinos were lost to poaching in 2023?
How many rhinos were lost to poaching in 2023?
Signup and view all the answers
Why do rhino owners and investors harvest rhino horns regularly?
Why do rhino owners and investors harvest rhino horns regularly?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the estimated value of rhino horn on the black market in Vietnam?
What is the estimated value of rhino horn on the black market in Vietnam?
Signup and view all the answers
Why is the rhino horn stockpile a problem?
Why is the rhino horn stockpile a problem?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the purpose of microchipping each rhino horn removed from rhino?
What is the purpose of microchipping each rhino horn removed from rhino?
Signup and view all the answers
What is the suggested solution to the problem of the rhino horn stockpile?
What is the suggested solution to the problem of the rhino horn stockpile?
Signup and view all the answers
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
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
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.
