North Yemen bans the importation of rhino horn

Mail campaign by African Wildlife Foundation & passing of ban. From 1972 to 1978 the merchants in North Yemen imported about 40% of all rhinoceros horn which came onto the world market. In an attempt to stop this trade, the African Wildlife Foundation under President Robert Smith initiated in 1982 a public mail campaign to the Prime Minister of North Yemen. Hundreds of Americans signed cards complaining about the importation of rhino horn into North Yemen. Within a few months, the North Yemen government acted and in August 1982 banned all imports of rhino horn. While this is an important measure, steps must now be taken to ensure that the law is enforced.