A Whopping 259 Rhinos Have Already Been Poached This Year In South Africa

​worldanimalnews.com/259-rhinos-have-been-poached-during-the-first-six-months-of-2022-poachers-are-on-the-move-in-south-africa/

A whopping 259 rhinos have already been poached for their horns in the first half of the year in South Africa. Current population estimates range, but between the species of Rhino left, there are an estimated 25, 000 remaining in the wild. Every rhino slaughtered is one step closer to extinction and the possibility of extinction with rhinos is a real thing. In fact, in the past 25 years, 3 sub-species of rhinos have already gone extinct while the Northern White Rhino has been reduced to only two living females. At this rate, rhino extinction is possible within the next half a century if we cannot curb the illegal poaching to a degree that nearly stops it.

While this news is incredibly disheartening, it's important to note that arrests in relation to poaching have also been at a record high with 69 arrests already made this year. This demonstrates the continued efforts of anti-poaching units, law enforcement, and international collaboration in tackling the illegal wildlife trade. What this also tells us is that despite these ongoing efforts, rhino poaching continues to be a prevalent problem.

The article also suggested that poachers are moving to different areas to hunt rhinos, indicating that syndicates are actively trying to avoid anti-poaching units in their efforts to poach and distribute rhino horns. It means that we must address poaching in all areas of South Africa and direct resources to areas where rhinos are now being poached. Poachers will stop at nothing to get their hands on valuable horns and we must do everything in our power to prevent this.

Poaching is a sickness fueled by greed and the promise is wealth. Poachers are literally putting their lives on the line in order to get their hands on rhino horns and in some cases, their lives are cut short as a result of their actions. Knowing the dangers involved in poaching, it's obvious that the value on rhino horns continues to be the motivating factor in poaching. Unfortunately, there is rarely any consideration for what these poachers intend to do when they've decimated the entire rhino population. Can anyone really be so naïve to believe that these animals are endlessly abundant? Do they not have access to statistics and population numbers? What do they intend to do when they've killed everything? Greed is an ugly trait, one that can push us to do even the worst things on our planet if it in some way guarantees us monetary gain.

Rhinos, elephants, tigers, leopards, lions, giraffes, all of these species are at risk of being poached for their body parts. Whether it's ivory from rhinos or elephants, body parts from giraffes to make trinkets and novelty items, or teeth / blood from tigers traditionally used in ancient medicines that are not scientifically backed, Africa's wildlife is under continued attack. Our efforts are not in vain but poaching is relentless and there must be more attention and resources funneled in to protecting our planet's most imperiled species. If we do not combat poaching aggressively, all of the animals I've listed will undoubtedly go extinct in the wild.

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