Scientific name: Ceratotherium simum

Swahili name [1]: Kifaru mweupe

IUCN status: Near Threatened 

 

Threats and impacts [2]:

There are increasing poaching threats due to the increasing demand for rhino horn to supply Southeast Asia’s traditional medicine market, with international criminal syndicates fulfilling the demand. Increasing demand for horn combined with decreasing conservation budgets, as well as declining capacity increases the threat to the white rhino. 

China and Vietnam are the largest markets for rhino horn, where it is consumed in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) among other uses, including as a medium for carvings and as antique or commodity investments.[3]

 

Conservation:

More than a century ago, human hunting and habitat destruction drove white rhinos almost to extinction. Today, concentrated management and breeding efforts have increased their population, however habitat loss and poaching, especially for horns used in traditional Asian medicine and ceremonial crafts in Africa and the Middle East, are still grave threats to their existence. Recent conservation efforts include microchipping all the rhinoceroses in Kenya, poisoning or painting their horns, or removing their horns altogether.

 

Many rhinos are in protected areas (sanctuaries, conservancies, etc.) aiding anti-poaching efforts, while intensive monitoring has informed management decision-making. In addition to local, national, international and continental initiatives, there are a number of regional African rhino conservation initiatives: the South African Development Community (SADC) Rhino Management Group, recently formed East African Rhino Management Group and the Southern African Rhino and Elephant Security Group/Interpol Environmental Crime Working Group. IUCN SSC African Rhino Specialist Group is the continental coordinating body for rhino conservation in Africa.

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Hong Kong connection: 

A Hong Kong study of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practitioners found that substitutes for rhino horn are available [4]and most practitioners interviewed would use the substitutes even if rhino horn were legalized [5].

Another study found that most medicines containing rhino horn were produced in China, intended for domestic usage or export to South Korea or Taiwan, as the three main consuming nations. Hong Kong and Singapore were found to be major transit centres for the rhino horn trade[6]. 

 

[1] http://mpalalive.org/field_guide/white_rhinoceros

[2] Emslie, R. 2012. Ceratotherium simum. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T4185A16980466. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012.RLTS.T4185A16980466.en. Downloaded on 14 August 2019.

[3] Cheung, H., Mazerolle, L., Possingham, H. P., & Biggs, D. (2018). Medicinal Use and Legalized Trade of Rhinoceros Horn From the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Hong Kong. Tropical Conservation Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940082918787428

[4] Liu, R., Wang, F., Huang, Q., Duan, J., Liu, P., Shang, E., … Qian, D. (2016). Available sustainable alternatives replace endangered animal horn based on their proteomic analysis and bio-effect evaluation. Sci Rep, 6(1).https://doi.org/10.1038/srep36027

[5] Cheung, H., Mazerolle, L., Possingham, H. P., & Biggs, D. (2018). Medicinal Use and Legalized Trade of Rhinoceros Horn From the Perspective of Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners in Hong Kong. Tropical Conservation Science, 11. https://doi.org/10.1177/1940082918787428

[6] Amin, R., Thomas, K., Emslie, R. H., Foose, T. J., & Strien, N. V. (2006). An overview of the conservation status of and threats to rhinoceros species in the wild. International Zoo Yearbook, 40(1),96–117. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1748-1090.2006.00096.x

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Photo credit: Jade Lam