Rhino Extinction Crisis: Illegal Rhino Horn Trade Thrives
Rhinos have been slaughtered to near extinction to fuel the insatiable demand for rhino horn products in southeast and east Asia (China) - all based on superstitions about so-called "medicinal properties" of rhino horn.
Although Yemen used to be a major player in the illegal rhino horn market, today China and Vietnam are the problem, due to persistent cultural myths about rhino horn. Unfortunately, many mainstream media sources continue to cite Yemen as a market for rhino horn (used to make daggers or "jambiyas") because of a lack of research into recent developments pertaining to the illegal rhino horn trade.
We urge the media to take note of the current state of the illegal rhino honr trade: The adherance to the notion of "political correctness" by Western media - and a refusal to implicate China - is costing the world its rhinos (and tigers and elephants).
Needed: Accurate reporting on rhino poaching by the media
January 2008: This female Indian Rhino suffered for 35 hours before she died. Her calf was murdered, and as she stood over her dead calf, she was shot twice and her horn was removed while she was still alive. This murder occurred in Kaziranga National Park, where sadly, poaching is on the rise. Source: BBC News
Instead of simply noting that "rhino horn is used in Chinese medicine", we believe a more accurate statement by the media would help educate the public and should be universal:
Although rhino horn has no medicinal effects on humans, superstitions about rhino horn persist in southeast and east Asia, where rhino horn is unfortunately believed to be a "remedy" for various ailments, such as fever and pain. The cultural myths surrounding rhino horn are why rhinos are slaughtered illegally - and why wild rhino populations in Africa and Asia are at risk of extinction.
We believe that social media and content sharing campaigns are helping to accomplish this.
Here we are in 2010 - why does the illegal killing of rhinos continue?
Multiple sources from law enforcement and rhino conservation groups indicate that the "new wealth" in China is responsible for funding international organized poaching cartels to kill rhinos, particularly in Zimbabwe and South Africa. Vietnam also has a thriving illegal market in rhino horn and other endangered species products.
In addition, heavy funding (USD $130 million) of the traditional medicine industry by the Chinese government in 2007 is believed to be one of the catalysts for the current crisis.
Despite being a CITES signatory, Chinese pharmaceutical companies continue to manufacture so-called "medicines" derived from illegal rhino horn.
Destroying wildlife for traditional Chinese medicine
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
China violates CITES: Does not restrict illegal rhino horn trade
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. - Trade Environment Database
Science has proven rhino horn has no medicinal value
The notion of rhino horn as medicine is essentially a cultural myth. Science has long ago proven rhino horn has no medicinal value. Yet millions of people in southeast and east Asia are clinging to this superstition. This is the reason hundreds of thousands of rhinos have been illegally slaughtered - and why rhino poaching remains a very lucrative crime. - Rhishja Larson, savingrhinos.org
FACT: Rhino horn is NOT a remedy for fever, pain, arthritis, consvulsions, or any other medical condition. Rhino horn does not cure devil possession - and it is not an aphrodisiac.
Yet these superstitions are behind a thriving illegal market in rhino horn - and have made rhinos one of the world's most endangered species.
Please share the truth about rhino horn and help stop the illegal slaughter of rhinos ... before it's too late.
Visit Rhino Conservation: Rhino Horn is NOT Medicine to read the following articles & learn more:
- Is Surge in Rhino Poaching Linked to China's Designation of TCM as 'Strategic Industry'?
- Study Confirms Zimbabwe, South Africa Form Epicenter of Rhino Poaching Crisis
- Commercial Rhino Poaching Thriving in South Africa, Thanks to Asian Demand for Rhino Horn
- Second Rhino in One Week Murdered in KwaZulu-Natal
- Zimbabwe's Rhino Poaching Crisis Compounded by Lack of Law Enforcement
- Is Escalating Rhino Horn Trade Linked to South African Hunting Industry?
