Rhinos (SAVE THE RHINO)
One of the main threats for rhinos is poaching aimed at selling the precious horn on the black market which has a value of around € 90,000 per kg! For this reason, the Bioparco supports the Save the Rhino International association in the context of two projects: the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit programme and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park programme. The funds are used to support the operating costs of the canine units, equipment as well as training, veterinary care and other essential elements to combat poaching.
A concrete commitment towards conservation
Thanks to your contribution, we were able to donate €10,000 to the Save the Rhino Association to finance two projects in particular: the Anti-Poaching Dog Unit programme and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park programme. A concrete support to the work of the anti-poaching rangers of the dog teams, which at this moment can employ a greater number of anti-poaching dog teams in the field.
Let’s fight poaching in this difficult time with everyone’s support!
Support the fight against poaching, make a donation to Save the Rhino International.
ANTI-POACHING DOG UNIT PROGRAMME
The Save the Rhino association provides ranger teams fighting poachers with everything they need, from equipment kits (shoes, backpacks, etc.) to good quality accommodation, to dog teams. Dogs are a valuable addition to the technology and patrols used, useful for detecting illegally smuggled products of animal origin (especially rhinoceros horns) or for tracking down poachers.
HLUHLUWE-IMFOLOZI PARK PROGRAMME
The Kwa-Zulu Natal Park has the highest density of rhinoceroses in South Africa and the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park hosts populations of white and black rhinoceroses, very important for the conservation of the two African species. The pressure of horn poaching is moving towards these two parks, and the rangers had to intensify their efforts to monitor and patrol the area: this has included a new digital radio system to replace the old, extremely vulnerable analogue radio system.
RHINOCEROSES IN NATURE
In 1895 the white rhinoceros population in the wild was reduced to 20-50 animals. After years of protection and many conservation actions, in 2010 the population increased to unexpected levels reaching about 21,000 individuals in the wild, while in 2018 the number of individuals was around 18,000. Since 2007 due to the enormous value of the rhinoceros horn and the growing demand on the black market, the poaching of the two African species, especially the white rhinoceros, increased dramatically: from 60 animals killed in 2006 to 1,124 in 2017 (1,124 of which about 1,000 were white rhinoceroses). In 2018, poaching slightly declined and an estimated 900 animals were killed between black and white rhinoceroses, however, the data are not definitive. Most of the animals killed are white rhinoceroses because they live in more open areas and their horns are larger on average.
While the above concerns the southern subspecies of white rhinoceros, the northern one is practically extinct in nature since 2007. There are only 4 specimens in a reserve in Kenya transferred from a zoo in the Czech Republic, with the hope that they can begin to reproduce and thus save this subspecies.
