rhino poaching

Rhino Crisis Round Up: The First 10 Days of 2013

During the first ten days of 2013, a total of seven rhinos have already been killed in South Africa and India, while arrests have been made in India, Nepal, Thailand, and Vietnam. Unfortunately, South Africa’s final body count for 2012 was even higher than expected. The South African Department of Environmental Affairs announced on January

Rhino Crisis Round Up: South Africa Death Toll At Least 618

The number of rhinos killed in South Africa in 2012 has reached a staggering 618, according to a December 10th update from the Department of Environmental Affairs. There have been 257 arrests for rhino crimes this year in South Africa. Earlier this week, the much-anticipated Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by South Africa’s Minister

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Death Toll Soars to 467 in South Africa & More

  The massacre of South Africa’s rhinos continues at a horrifying pace, with 467 killed this year as of October 22nd, according to the Department of Environmental Affairs. Gareth Morgan, Shadow Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs, is questioning the decision to withdraw “a dedicated group of police personnel” and a “dedicated helicopter used in

Rhino Crisis Round Up: 430 Rhinos Killed in S Africa & More

South Africa has now lost at least 430 rhinos to the illegal rhino horn trade since the start of 2012, according to figures released by the Department of Environmental Affairs. 258 of the rhinos were killed in Kruger National Park, and 205 people have been arrested this year in South Africa for rhino crimes. India

World Rhino Day 2012 Round Up

  On September 22nd, the third annual World Rhino Day was celebrated, with over a dozen countries participating this year. World Rhino Day brought NGOs, zoos, rhino sanctuaries, and concerned citizens across the globe together to raise awareness and funds for the five species of rhinoceros — all of which are under threat from the

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Rhinos Killed in India, Kenya & More

India’s Kaziranga National Park has unfortunately lost another rhino, as a female rhino was found dead this week in the park’s Bagori range. PTI reports that “empty shells and a mobile phone” were recovered near the rhinos body; she was at least the tenth rhino killed in India since the start of 2012. In Kenya,

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Yao Ming in Kenya & More

Retired NBA star Yao Ming was in Kenya to film “The End of the Wild” documentary — and to bring international awareness to the plight of African rhinos and elephants, whose numbers are being decimated by demand from China. Yao’s itinerary included a visit to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home to four of the world’s

Rhino Crisis Round Up: U.S. Antiques Dealer Pleads Guilty & More

In the United States, antiques dealer David Hausman has pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice and creating false records in relation to rhino horn trafficking. The Manhattan antiques dealer is one of the suspects arrested in February 2012 as part of “Operation Crash“. Hausman admitted in the plea agreement that he was engaging in criminal

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Steyl-Lemtongthai Case Postponed & More

South Africa’s rhino horn syndicate case involving game farmer Marnus Steyl, professional hunter Harry Claassens, and Thai nationals Chumlung Lemtongthai, Punpitak Chunchom, and Tool Sriton has been postponed. Although the alleged syndicate’s legal team had hoped to get the case thrown out, the suspects will make another court appearance on November 5th. Steyl and his

Rhino Crisis Round Up: 2012 Declared Year of the Rhino & More

This week, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia declared June 5th, 2012, as the beginning of the International Year of the Rhino. Indonesia is home to Critically Endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos. Both species are teetering at the edge of extinction, with only around 40 Javan rhinos and fewer than 200 Sumatran rhinos still surviving.

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Rhino Killer Shot Dead in India & More

Kaziranga National Park’s greater one-horned rhinos are safer today, following an exchange of gunfire between authorities and armed rhino killers, which left one of the assailants dead. According to India Blooms news, the incident occurred near the Bagori range of the park. Police also recovered a .303 rifle and live ammunition. Less than a week

Rhino Crisis Round Up: 'Groenewald Gang' Case Postponed (Again) & More

For the fourth time since their arrest in September 2010, South Africa’s high-profile rhino horn syndicate case involving game farmer and safari operator Dawie Groenewald — along with professional hunters and wildlife veterinarians — has been postponed. The syndicate suspects (dubbed the “Groenewald gang”) are expected back in court on October 19th to face 1,872

Rhino Crisis Round Up: South Africa Death Toll at 150 & More

The latest figures released by the South African Government Department of Environmental Affairs are grim: 150 rhinos have been slaughtered since the beginning of 2012. According the statement, more than half (87) of the rhinos were killed in South Africa’s famed Kruger National Park, and 90 people have been arrested for rhino-related crimes during the

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Suspected Rhino Killer Commits Suicide & More

An alleged rhino killer has reportedly committed suicide after being confronted by police at his home. According to South Africa’s Jacaranda 94.2, Walter Nkuna was the manager of Atherstone Nature Reserve where five rhinos were recently shot. Nkuna apparently allowed three Mozambican men into the reserve, after telling “field rangers not to come to work

Rhino Crisis Round Up: S Africa Death Toll Above 100 Rhinos & More

Here we are, not quite three months into 2012, and already more than 100 rhinos have been massacred in South Africa. The Independent Online says the 100-plus figure was verified by the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA). Earlier this week, South Africa National Parks (SANparks) announced that it would not be providing updates regarding the

Rhino Crisis Round Up: S African Death Toll Rises to 80 & More

It’s just 61 days into 2012 and at least 80 rhinos have already been killed in South Africa. South African National Parks (SANParks) released the grim tally earlier this week, along with the news that four Kruger National Park employees have been arrested for suspected involvement with rhino killings. Dr. David Mabunda, the Chief Executive

Rhino Crisis Round Up: US Busts Rhino Horn Smuggling Ring & More

Great news! The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has cracked a major international rhino horn trafficking ring and arrested several people across a dozen states. The undercover investigation called “Operation Crash” also resulted in the seizure of more than 30 rhino horns, over $1 million in cash, and $1 million in Rolex watches, gold

South Africa: 448 Rhinos Killed in 2011 [Warning: Graphic]

© naturepl.com / Mark Carwardine / WWF An announcement made today by WWF confirms that 2011’s rhino death toll in South Africa reached a record-breaking 448. Of the 448 rhinos murdered for their horns, 19 were critically endangered black rhinos. 252 of the rhino killings occurred in Kruger National Park, where eight rhinos were found

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Hope for Asian Rhinos & More

The New Year seems to be starting off on a positive note for Asian rhinos, with encouraging news about greater one-horned, Javan, and Sumatran rhinos. Meanwhile, a new initiative in South Africa is launched to rehabilitate rhino calves orphaned by the continuing killing spree. ‘Missing’ rhino located A straying greater one-horned rhino was found after

Rhino Crisis Round Up: Four Rhino Killers Arrested in India & More

The good guys prevailed in this week’s battle to protect the world’s rhinos from medicinal myths about rhino horn: A rhino killing gang was busted in India, while another suspected rhino killer was arrested near South Africa’s border with Mozambique. In both cases, the arrests were preceded by shootouts. Rhino killers arrested In India, four

Breaking News: Javan Rhino Declared Extinct in Vietnam

EXTINCT: Vietnam’s last rhino was a victim of the illegal rhino horn trade. Photo © WWF-Greater Mekong WWF and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) have confirmed the extinction of the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) in Vietnam. DNA match On April 29th, 2010, the body of a female Javan rhino was found in Cat Tien

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