EB Martin said that there had been recent cases of rhino poaching in Masai Mara.
Tim Oloo, Rhino Project co-ordinator for KWS, said his anti-poaching teams had been successful but the threat of poaching remains very real. KWS's limited resources meant that it was impossible to offer complete protection to the few remaining rhinos. The only ay to eliminate poaching is to eradicate demand for the product.
EB Martin said that there had been recent cases of rhino poaching in Selous.
Since 1970 nearly 154,000 lb of rhino horn has been imported into Yemen, which means more than 22,000 rhino have been killed to meet the demand.
As a solution for underpaid custom officials, Rob Barnett of TRAFFIC advocates the introduction of sniffer dogs into the customs service. One dog can do the work of 35 men. Sniffer dogs have proved their efficacy in the fight against international drugs trade and they have been used in Canada and South Africa to detect trade in animal parts.
Rhino horns are used to make the handle of the Jambiya dagger traditionally carried by all Yemeni men. A dagger with a rhino horn handle is a prized accessory and daggers with antique rhino handles can fetch as much as $1 million. EB Martin: the demand remains high in Yemen and the trade continued despite Yemeni government legislation in 1981 banning imports of rhino horn.
It is known that Dar es Salaam is a leading centre for shipment of rhino horns. Seizure rates are low, and poorly-paid custom officials are easy targets for bribery.
It is known that Nairobi is a leading centre for shipment of rhino horns. Seizure rates are low, and poorly-paid custom officials are easy targets for bribery. A Kenyan custom official said it was extremely difficult for his department to apply effective measures against smuggling.
Sudan is a major exporter of rhino horn.
