Cumming, D., 1987. Zimbabwe and the conservation of black rhino. Zimbabwe Science News 21 (5/6): 59-62, figs. 1-3
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| Location: |
Africa |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Reasons for decline |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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The overiding cause of the decline in black rhino in Africa has been commercial poaching for the horn which is exported illegally to North Yemen and to the Far East; in Yemen the horn is carved into dagger handles while in Asia it is used in traditional medicines where it is believed to reduce fevers and cure other ailments (Martin and Matin 1982). The price of raw rhino horn in Africa is about $850 per kg. The gross value of the trade in rhino horn in Africa over the past six years is about $13 000 000.
The poaching of rhino is a highly organised operation involving wealthy international traders and often highly placed and corrupt politicians and officials. These people hire experienced and determined poachers as the anti-poaching forces in Zimbabwe have discovered over the past 18 months during which time some 150 rhino have been poached and 23 Zambian based poachers killed.
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Zimbabwe and the conservation of black rhino
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