South Africa's Rhino Horn Stockpile
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of rhino horn in traditional Chinese medicine?

  • As a cure for cancer
  • As a pain reliever
  • As an aphrodisiac (correct)
  • As a fever reducer
  • Why is de-horning a rhino not a foolproof method of conservation?

  • Because it is an expensive procedure
  • Because it is a time-consuming process
  • Because the horn will grow back
  • Because the financial reward to the poacher is not completely eliminated (correct)
  • What is the current estimated population of rhinos in South Africa?

  • Fewer than 23,000 (correct)
  • Fewer than 50,000
  • Fewer than 10,000
  • Fewer than 100,000
  • What is the main reason rhino horn is in demand?

    <p>As a status symbol</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How many rhinos were lost to poaching in 2023?

    <p>449</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why do rhino owners and investors harvest rhino horns regularly?

    <p>To reduce the poaching risk</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated value of rhino horn on the black market in Vietnam?

    <p>Between US$10,694/kg and US$22,257/kg</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Why is the rhino horn stockpile a problem?

    <p>Because rhino horn has been diverted into the illegal global wildlife trade</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of microchipping each rhino horn removed from rhino?

    <p>To trace the origin of the rhino horn</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the suggested solution to the problem of the rhino horn stockpile?

    <p>To destroy the rhino horn stockpiles</p> 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

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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.

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