Rhinos are killed more and more

Since the beginning of the year, 245 rhinos in South Africa have been killed for horns. The demand for rhino horn is increasing because many people believe it, baselessly, that it helps cure the disease.

>>>South Africa anti-poaching rhinos with chips and DNA

The Kruger National Park in northeastern South Africa is where the poachers attacked the most, causing the number of rhinos to be heavily affected, with 147 children killed, AFP quoted the Environment Ministry as saying in a route. dad.

Since the beginning of the year, South African police have arrested 161 suspects, of whom 138 poachers have been linked to the deaths of rhinos.

Rhino killed in South Africa is increasing

There are about 70-80% of the rhinos in the world living in South Africa, so poachers often come to this country to hunt rhinos. Last year, in South Africa, there were 448 rhinos killed. In 2010 it was 333, in 2007 only 17 rhinos died. In order to prevent this situation, South African officials have constantly introduced measures such as deploying patrol troops, using microchips into rhinos to monitor. However, according to Joseph Okori, WWF rhino protection coordinator in Africa, poachers always deal with using sophisticated tricks such as using helicopters and using self-defense weapons. dynamic.

Rhino horns will be hunted by the hunters on the black market in Asia, where many believe that rhino horns are capable of healing. Therefore, the price of black rhino in the black market is very high, equal to gold.

The last Javan rhino in Vietnam died in Cat Tien National Park in 2010 despite government protection efforts. In Vietnam, the need to buy horns is increasing, this is considered a luxury product and it is believed that it can detoxify and cure cancer. However, there is no scientific evidence to support these rumors.

Recently, South Africa called on Vietnam to strengthen cooperation in the fight against smuggling rhino horn after a large number of rhinos were killed in the first few months of the year.

US officials and international experts on wildlife confirmed that the recent surge in demand in Vietnam has been the factor that has created the greatest pressure on about 28,000 live rhinos. Around the world. Much of this rhino lives in South Africa.

Profit from rhino horn is much larger than other products from wild animals, such as bear bile or tiger. US officials said a kilogram of rhino horn powder could be sold for up to $ 55,000 (over VND 1.1 billion). Rhino horn powder is worth as much as gold.

In April this year, a Vietnamese national man was arrested while preparing to leave South Africa with three rhino horns. The horns weigh a total of 13.9 kg, equivalent to 7.5 million South African rand ($ 900,000) at market prices.

In early June, a Vietnamese was arrested at Maputo airport, Mozambique. In this suitcase of this man, there are 7 rhino horns worth 2 million USD. In addition, he also brought three ivory bracelets.