The Pachyderm Poaching Problem
Some facts and statistics
Animals to scale: Who's the real animal here?
It's not the black rhino, and nor is it the African elephant... but potentially the most dangerous animal yet is the human.
Poaching has become an alarmingly regular feature in the news the last few years. To be exact, within the last seven years as of 2014, poaching has risen by 50%. The reason for this varies, but can be traced to an increased use of rhino horn and elephant tusks. In Yemen, where 40% of horn traffic is directed, they are used for crafting djambia handles. One rhino horn is used to make up to three djambia handles. In Vietnam, rhino horn is now valued up to $100,00 per kilogram, worth more in its weight than gold. There, rhino horn has been used as a cocaine-like drug, a virility enhancer and an ingredient for a "luxury" drink.
But is a horn or a set of tusks worth death?
While these creatures are losing their own set of horns or tusks (after which most rhinos and elephants are left to die), humans are wreaking much damage while choosing these token "prizes" over an endangered life. It is up to every individual to stop this threat by partnering with their communities to make a difference.
Learn more online, at OSCAP and Save the Rhino. Watch Mark Wilby's film on The Cliptivists- a pilot project.
Stacked statistics: sourced from the South African Department of Environmental Affairs and the SABC.
Rhinos and elephants have recently experienced a rise in poaching, with trading demands for ivory and horns increasing. As the numbers for these pachyderm deaths have increased, so have the efforts to closely document the crisis in order to better understand, predict and prevent outcomes.
Trisha Nathoo’s local march for rhino and elephant awareness, was organised as part of a global challenge. Other countries also took part in their own march for the event on October 4th, 2014 to raise funds for the anti-poaching campaign. Nathoo managed to gather 96 petitions from Grahamstown on the day of the march. Grahamstown was one of the 18 cities to have participated in South Africa and of the 37 countries in Africa.
Globally, 134 nations took to the streets to march for rhinos and elephants. This map comes from the official march site. Read more about the event that took place on October 4th.