In 2014 rhino poaching in Africa is expected to return to break the record. The price of rhino horn on the black market is now much higher than gold, with the greatest demand coming from Vietnam.
Poachers from the poorest villages in Mozambique infiltrate South Africa, bristling with guns. They came to hunt rhino. The money they earned only one rhino enough to feed a family for months. Rewards are worth the risk.
Between 1990 and 2007 poachers killed an average of 14 rhinos per year in South Africa. In 2013 over a thousand, and until the middle of this year 558 rhinos have been killed for their horns in South Africa, to be sold in Asia.
Only need 48 hours to send rhino horn from South Africa to Asia. Many wealthy buyers in Asia who likes to show off the wealth of the rhino horn and elephant ivory. In Vietnam, which became the largest market, the elite even like to mix the powdered rhino horn into the drink.
All Is Just for Social Status
One kilogram of rhino horn rewarded 50,000 euros on the black market. For comparison, a kilo of gold worth about 31,000 euros.
"People should be know that the animal was killed by cruel, and illegal hunting," said Brit Reichelt-Zolho of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
For Legacy Trading
Pelham Jones, chairman of the Private Rhino Owners' Association of South Africa, believes that legalizing rhino horn trade can reduce the problem of poaching. "We think it's illegal factors that actually interesting," he said. "If the horn can be bought legally, would reduce illegal purchases, also the price."
Private owners like Jones must enroll each horn of the rhino were killed and even gave a DNA sample of the animal. "Money can be obtained from the animal protection with a good political strategy and regulated trade," he added.
But Brit Reichelt-Zolho think differently. "WWF oppose the legalization of rhino horn trade. We ask: why this new proposed now and not earlier, when the price is not as expensive now? Definitely no profit motivation behind it." And if private owners are not afraid anymore to buy, the rhino population will be increasingly threatened, the expert stressed the WWF.
Fake Legal Proacher
Wealthy citizens of Europe and North America can legally hunt rhinos in South Africa for willing to pay. The cost for a license giving huge revenue for many African countries, which are then used for conservation. For legal hunters, deliberately selected animals that are old. These animals can not reproduce anymore and often disturbing flock. When they were killed, the younger animals can easily reproduce.
According to WWF, in recent years more and more hunters are popping up fake legal. They do not hunt for fun, but for smuggling rhino horn to Asia. Since 2012 South Africa stopped issuing new licenses for hunters Asia and Eastern Europe after a number of scandals arise.
Rampant rhino poaching is "development issues can not be solved with anti-poaching campaigns and harsh punishment alone," according to Reichelt-Zolho. To stop it, African countries need sustainable development strategies and economic systems that improve people's living standards.
(Translate from : DWmades for minds/id)