Legislation & Rhinos (& other animals)

Funding Alert | Why Poaching Continues | What is CITES?

Chinese markets are flourishing in the sale of rhino horn products

Asian Rhinos (Indian, Javan, Sumatran) Rhinos once roamed freely across southern and Souteastern Asia. Rhinos were poached to extinction in China 1,000 years ago.

In Africa, the Black Rhino population was slaughtered from 65,000 in the 1970's, to just 3,725 alive today. Prior to conservation efforts, White Rhinos had been ruthlessly hunted until fewer than 200 remained.

"Despite international and domestic bans on trade in rhinoceros parts and products, Chinese and Taiwanese markets are flourishing in the sale of rhino horn products. China has promised, and is obligated, to restrict this trade as a signatory to the CITES agreement, but evidence suggests that it has failed to do so." Source: Trade Environment Database.

"Taiwanese self-made millionaires are notorious for their conspicuous consumption of rare and exotic wildlife, and the Chinese traditional adage that animals exist primarily for exploitation is nowhere more pronounced than on Taiwan." - Dr. Richard Ellis, author of Tiger Bone & Rhino Horn: The Destruction of Wildlife for Traditional Chinese Medicine

Due to the unwavering demand for rhino horn, there are now only approximately 60 Javan Rhinos, 200 Sumatran Rhinos, and 2,400 Indian Rhinos left alive in the world today.

In 2007, the Western Black Rhino was declared extinct and only 3,725 Eastern Black Rhinos remain today - down from 65,000 in the 1970's ... due to poaching.

In 2008, the Northern White Rhino was declared extinct in the wild ... due to poaching.

Four of the five rhino species will become extinct in our lifetime if poaching cannot be stopped.

What is CITES?

CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement between governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.

Removing the prize

Because the rhino's horn can be removed without murdering the rhino, horns are often removed from rhinos, in the hopes of making them less appealing to poachers.

The results of the de-horning strategy are mixed. There are reports that these animals are slaughtered on sight by poachers, so time is not wasted tracking animals of "no value." Others have reported success, noting that poachers move on after identifying an animal without a horn.

Rhinos have been poached for horns as small as an inch in length.

It is a shame that the disfigurement of a beautiful creature has to be considered as an option.

Marc Ecko to the (rhino) rescue

In October 2006, Marc Ecko (ecko unltd.) purchased two white rhinos being auctioned by a private zoo going out of business in the Catskills, saving them the likely fate of being purchased by Texas canned hunt operators and being shot by paying visitors. He found permanent homes for the two rhinos, Jack and Boom-Boom, shortly afterwards.

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Funding Alert from the WWF Conservation Action Network

Big Increases in Funding for Conservation of Tigers, Rhinos, Elephants, Great Apes, Sea Turtles, and Neotropical Migratory Birds

  • Congress appropriated a total of $12.3 million for fiscal year 2008.
  • We Need Your Help to Push for Strong Funding for Fiscal Year 2009: "Unfortunately, the Bush administration has requested only $8.25 million total for these funds for fiscal year 2009. We are counting on your support to urge Congress to allocate $18 million instead."
  • Act now to push for strong conservation funding in 2009

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California voters say YES! on Prop 2

(Nov. 4, 2008) – Voters in California approved an historic ballot measure to halt the inhumane confinement of animals on factory farms by an overwhelming margin.

“California voters have taken a stand for decency and compassion and said that the systemic mistreatment of animals on factory farms cannot continue," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States, the primary back of the YES! on Prop 2 campaign. "All animals deserve humane treatment, including animals raised for food.” Read more ...

The Humane Society of the United States

But wait! There's more ... read about Dick Cheney's canned hunt excesses!

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