The South African Ministry of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment reported on Saturday (7/31/2021) that the poaching of rhinos increased by 50 percent in the first half of 2021 in this African country, which has the largest colony of these animals. From the world. This happens after the year 2020 in which the number of samples killed fell a lot as a result of the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic.
“From January to the end of June, 249 rhinos were hunted in South Africa,” Minister Barbara Creasy said. The number of animals caught increased by 83 compared to the same period last year. Most of them were killed in the famous Kruger National Park, where 132 died. It is precisely in this nature reserve that most of the population of South Africa lives from these mammals.
“Although this number is higher than the number of rhinos killed for their horns in the same period last year, 166, it is lower than the 318 caught in the first six months of 2019,” the wallet says. South Africa released these numbers for World Ranger Day, along with a letter of thanks to South African nature stewards even at the risk of their lives.
Despite everything, there is optimism
The reduction in restrictions due to the pandemic “encouraged an increase in poaching during the first six months of 2021”, Chrissy explained, with a significant increase in this activity in Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Free State provinces, where there are large numbers of rhinos. Reserves. South Africa is home to 80 percent of the world’s population of these animals, threatened by poachers due to the strong demand for their horns for traditional Asian medicine.
Despite the relative bad news so far this year, Minister Chrissy considered that the multidisciplinary strategy applied by the South African government and the “work” of the actors involved remained “successful”, as the dangerous maximum trend reached by a single hunt could have been reversed. Century in the decade prior to 2018. In 2014, for example, 1,215 captured specimens were recorded. An estimated 20,000 rhinos live in South Africa.
DZC (EFE, AFP)
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Wild species face an uncertain future
road to extinction
Demand for rhino horn, especially in Asia, is pushing the species toward extinction. Despite being a trade banned by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora since 1977, only about 25,600 rhinos out of the five extant species live in the wild. In a controversial move, the King of Swaziland will propose legalizing the trade at a wildlife conference to be held in Johannesburg until October 5.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
Tragic Ivory
Between 2007 and 2015, the African elephant population declined by a third, mainly due to the ivory trade. Zimbabwe and Namibia are proposing to legalize ivory markets in an effort to curb demand. With approximately 27,000 elephants poached each year, this is sure to be one of the hottest debates at the 17th CITES meeting.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
The symbol of this debauchery
CITES does not consider the African lion an endangered species. However, groups such as Humane Society International have proposed increased protection for this species, of which there are only 20,000 wild lions in Africa. Many countries, including the European Union, oppose this initiative.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
First in the list
Pangolins are honored as the world’s most trafficked land mammal. Its peels are used in traditional Chinese medicine and are a treasure hunter. Since all eight species of this animal are threatened, some participants in CITES COP17 are in favor of moving them all from Annex II to Annex I, increasing their protection.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
lovely clam
Although their colorful shells bring fresh marine air into our homes, this simple act could contribute to the extinction of marine invertebrates such as the nautilus. These unique animals, in the form of a gypsy snail, are also among 62 suggestions for increased protection that wildlife experts are offering to CITES CoP17.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
flying unicorn
This amazing bird has a helmet on its head that weighs more than one-tenth of its weight is about 3 kg. He uses it to fight head-to-head with other males. They are used to carve small sculptures. Hornbill, which is the name of these birds, the largest in Asia is already in the first appendix of the most threatened birds. But Indonesia calls for greater protection and international cooperation.
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Wild species face an uncertain future
Wildlife is green too
Plants get less attention when it comes to the international trade in wildlife. However, CoP17 addresses issues related to illegal logging around the world, which threaten many tree species. For example, rosewood, a highly prized wood in Asia that has fueled a cross-border criminal network and is in danger of extinction.
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