Advertisement

Rise in poaching threatens African rhinos

GLAND, Switzerland, March 31 (UPI) -- Rhinoceros populations in Africa face the worst poaching threat in decades for their horns, which are sold on the black market, conservationists say.

A report by the International Union for Conservation of Nature said poaching gangs killed more than 800 rhinos during the past three years for their horns, which can fetch $16,000 per pound on the black market, the BBC reported Thursday.

Advertisement

The IUCN called for more cooperation between conservationists and law enforcement agencies.

"Although good biological management and anti-poaching efforts have led to modest population gains for both species of African rhino, we are still very concerned," IUCN scientific officer Richard Emslie said.

The main threat, he said, was from the "increasing involvement of organized criminal poaching networks."

"Unless the rapid escalation in poaching in recent years can be halted, continental rhino numbers could once again start to decline," he warned.

Conservationists say most of the illegally harvested rhino horns end up in the traditional medicine markets of Southeast Asia, and that growing demand and high prices are driving the sharp increase in poaching.

Latest Headlines