A record number of African rhinos were slaughtered for their horns last year
- 8 years ago
AFRICA — The number of rhinos poached in Africa increased for the sixth year in a row with more than 1,300 killed last year — the greatest loss in a single year.
According to AFP, researchers from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that in 2015, at least 1,338 rhinos across Africa were killed by poachers for their horns.
The illegal trade is fueled by high demand in Southeast Asia, particularly China and Vietnam, where rhinoceros horns are prized for their purported medicinal properties.
Sold for about $60,000 a kilo on the black market, the horns are more expensive than cocaine, and worth more in weight than gold or diamonds.
The BBC reports that the trade has been banned in Africa since 2008, but despite continued efforts to combat the slaughter using drones, satellites, radios and other technology, losses reached a record high this year.
International Union for the Conservation of Nature researchers found that decreased poaching in one area only led to further poaching elsewhere. So while the number of slaughtered rhinos decreased in South Africa, it quadrupled in Namibia and doubled in Zimbabwe.
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According to AFP, researchers from the International Union for the Conservation of Nature found that in 2015, at least 1,338 rhinos across Africa were killed by poachers for their horns.
The illegal trade is fueled by high demand in Southeast Asia, particularly China and Vietnam, where rhinoceros horns are prized for their purported medicinal properties.
Sold for about $60,000 a kilo on the black market, the horns are more expensive than cocaine, and worth more in weight than gold or diamonds.
The BBC reports that the trade has been banned in Africa since 2008, but despite continued efforts to combat the slaughter using drones, satellites, radios and other technology, losses reached a record high this year.
International Union for the Conservation of Nature researchers found that decreased poaching in one area only led to further poaching elsewhere. So while the number of slaughtered rhinos decreased in South Africa, it quadrupled in Namibia and doubled in Zimbabwe.
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Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
Get top stories delivered to your inbox everyday: http://bit.ly/tomo-newsletter
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