WWF raises security efforts to protect Rhinos from poachers in South Africa

WWF raises security efforts to protect Rhinos from poachers in South Africa

WWF has launched a campaign to raise support and funding for those rangers who put their lives on the line to protect Africa's rhinos. Rhino poaching has increased dramatically over the past year-and-a half, fuelled by demand for Rhino horns used in traditional medicines. South Africa, home to more than 90 per cent of Africa's rhino populations, has been losing at least 20 of the animals per month and in the past four years, about 600 rhinos were poached across the African continent. During the month-long campaign WWF will be stepping up its support to security efforts in dangerous areas with high rates of poaching and will be seeking public support through awareness-raising events

However, these iconic creatures are faring better elsewhere, in Africa and Asia.

There was a recent report of a sighting of a truly wild Black Rhino in Zambia's remote North Luangwa, spotted by a guide from a local camp. They first thought they were looking at elephants in the distance but soon realized it was in fact a female black rhino with a calf. These rare Black Rhino were last seen in Zambia in the very early 1980's before they were poached to extinction. In 2003 a re-introduction program was set up by the Frankfurt Zoological Society who brought back black rhino to a 300 km sq boma in the North Luangwa. The Black rhino now appear to have moved out in to the great wilderness from the boma and this sighting marks a change for the north Luangwa.

In Nepal, conservationists are aso celebrating the arrival of the first rhino calf to be born in Bardia National Park, since poaching was halted almost two years ago. The greater one-horned rhino calf was spotted with its mother by a conservationist on a recent elephant-back patrol. Nepal's rhino population has been subjected to intensive poaching over the past decade as the country was gripped by civil war. Now less than 450 rhino remain in three populations in Bardia and Chitwan National Parks, and Shuklaphanta Wildlife Reserve. The birth of calves is a strong indicator that the patrols are bringing much-needed stability to the country's rhino population.

Despite this good news, Rhinos need our help! Support Rhinos and other endangered species in Asia by joining our Asia's Big 5 tour.

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