A recent report by the International Rhino Foundation states that rhino deaths due to human poaching are increasing every year. New births, on the other hand, are showing a decline, which may soon lead to the annihilation of the rhinos. The report says that almost two rhinos are killed every day.
In South Africa 827 black and white rhinos deaths have been recorded till date which exceed earlier records of 668 rhino deaths in 2012, reports Yahoo News. Two rhinos are poached every day in South Africa.
Rhinos are one of the largest mammals being hunted for centuries. There are altogether five types of rhinos found across the world, namely black, white, Sumatran, Javan and Indian. The rhino horns are popularly used in treating cancer, fever and as hangover medicine. Besides poaching the other reasons for the decline in their numbers are deforestation and displacement of these species due to human encroachments resulting in loss of habitat. Rhino horns are prized in certain countries
In Africa the natural habitats of the rhinos have been largely occupied by farmers for cultivation, revealed Raoul du Toit, the African Rhino Program coordinator for the International Rhino Foundation, according to a New York Times report.
Sumatran and Javan Rhinos are facing extinction as their numbers have gone below 100. Javan rhinos are found only in Indonesia now.
The IRF co-ordinators stated that the situation can be brought under control with stricter enforcement of laws prohibiting poaching. The birth rates among the White and Black rhinos are showing an upward curve in recent years that may help in recovering the previous losses.
"Despite the crisis, there is hope for rhinos," Susie Ellis, the executive director of the foundation, said in statement. "We believe that the situation can be turned around. The sticking point is whether rhino countries like South Africa and consumer countries like Vietnam and China will enforce their laws and whether countries like Indonesia will take the bold actions needed to save Sumatran and Javan rhinos."
