Black rhinos airlifted out of Zululand to undisclosed location

By Rhishja Larson, Published on September 17th, 2009 Nine black rhino from Zululand game reserves are being airlifted to a new home as part of a range expansion project for the critically endangered species. In an effort to ensure the survival of critically endangered black rhino, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) are partnering on a project designed to establish founder populations of black rhino throughout KwaZulu Natal and other parts of Africa. The goal of the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) expansion project is to stimulate breeding among the animals and increase populations throughout Africa. … The widespread illegal slaughter of black rhino for their horns reduced the population from 65,000 in 1973 to a low of just 2,300 by 1993. Sadly, there has been a shocking increase in rhino poaching in the last few years. Wildlife experts attribute this to rising incomes in China, where demand for the rhino’s horn is insatiable – and trade in endangered species products continues to flourish. An unfortunate Chinese superstition attributes healing powers to the rhino’s horn, claiming it is a medicine for reducing fever and relieving pain. (Not as an aphrodisiac, as is widely believed.) Now that more people can afford expensive and illegal rhino horn, rhino are being slaughtered at an alarming rate. The illegal trade in rhino horn has become so pervasive that, according to reports, well-organized poaching syndicates are believed to be working with Chinese and Vietnamese nationals throughout Africa to kill rhino and smuggle the horns to Asia. …

Black Rhinos Airlifted Out of Zululand to Undisclosed Location