• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Towleroad Gay News

Gay Blog Towleroad: More than gay news | gay men

  • Travel
  • Sports
  • Law/Justice
  • Celebrities
  • Republicans
  • Madonna
  • Books
  • Men
  • Trans Rights
  • Royals
  • Monkeypox
  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

South Africa’s Rhino Population May Be in Decline for the First Time in Nearly a Century

GlobalPost January 23, 2015

2_rhino

BY ERIN CONWAY-SMITH / GlobalPost

Authorities have started to relocate dozens of rhinos from poaching “hot spots” to safer locations.

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — The situation for South Africa's rhinos just keeps getting worse.

On Thursday, the government announced rhinoceros poaching statistics for 2014, and it was another record year: 1,215 rhinos slaughtered illegally for their horns, a 21 percent increase from 1,004 in 2013.

3_rhinoAs in previous years, hardest hit were the rhinos at South Africa's famed Kruger National Park, home to the world's largest rhino population and the top target for organized crime groups, some of which operate from across the park's open border with Mozambique.

More than two thirds of the animals poached in 2014 were killed in the park — a shocking 827 rhinos, according to South Africa's environmental affairs ministry.

In 2007, just 13 rhinos were killed by poachers. That number has increased dramatically every year since, fueled by lucrative demand in Vietnam and China where rhino horn is considered “traditional medicine,” and used to treat everything from cancer to a hangover despite no proof of any medicinal effect.

Out of desperation, South Africa has started to relocate dozens of the Kruger park's rhinos from poaching “hot spots” to safer locations, and last year even moved more than 100 to neighboring states for protection.

The reasons for the continuing rise in poaching — despite increased efforts to combat the problem — are complicated, but include corruption, institutional turmoil and judicial delays in key prosecutions, according to TRAFFIC, which monitors international trade in wildlife.

The number of animals being killed raises concerns that South Africa's rhino population may be in decline for the first time in nearly a century, the group said in a statement, meaning that more rhinos are dying than are being born.

“The lack of strong political will and active leadership from the government, neighboring Mozambique and key Asian countries remains a serious impediment to turning this crisis situation around,” said David Newton, TRAFFIC's director in east and southern Africa.

(photos: andy towle)

Topics: News More Posts About: Nature, News, Poaching, Rhino

Related Posts
  • Keep Key West GAY: Rebel & Relax
  • Russia Blocks Facebook, Accusing it of Restricting Access to Russian Media;
  • Duran Duran Has New Music And You Are About To Enjoy it. It’s 2021. Seriously.
  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Mel B will “always be open” when it comes to her sexuality. The Spice Girls singer, 48, who reunited with her bandmates including the group's ex-singer Victoria Beckham for the fashion …Read More »
  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Megan Thee Stallion is being sued for allegedly creating a hostile work environment and forcing her cameraman to watch her having lesbian sex. The 29-year-old ‘Savage' rapper faces the salacious claims …Read More »
  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Jonathan Bennett's life was “changed forever” by his role in ‘Mean Girls'. The 42-year-old actor starred as heartthrob Aaron Samuels in the 2004 cult classic – which followed Lindsay Lohan, Rachel …Read More »
  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Published by BANG Showbiz English Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass a gift basket after he came out as gay. The 44-year-old NSYNC star revealed the legendary singer showed his support when Lance decided to reveal …Read More »
Previous Post: « Bipartisan Coalition of Wyoming State Lawmakers Introduce LGBT Anti-Discrimination Bill
Next Post: International Gay & Lesbian Human Rights Commission Responds to Photos of ISIS Throwing Two Men to Their Deaths in Iraq »

Primary Sidebar

Most Recent

  • Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

    Sophia Bush’s girlfriend ‘proud’ the actress has opened up about coming out as queer

  • Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

    Mel B declares she’ll ‘always be open’ when it comes to her sexuality!

  • Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

    Megan Thee Stallion being sued for ‘forcing cameraman watch her having lesbian sex!’

  • Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

    Mean Girls star Jonathan Bennett recalls the moment his life ‘changed forever’

  • Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

    Sir Elton John sent Lance Bass gift basket to celebrate coming out

  • Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

    Relationship status influences heterosexual women’s sexual prejudice towards lesbians

  • JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

    JoJo Siwa had a challenge transitioning to new grown-up image

  • Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

    Liz Hurley defends lesbian sex scene in new movie that was directed by her son

Partner Links

  • OMG, WATCH: Google’s Veo 3 turns the “Distracted Boyfriend” meme to life in new AI video
    Google‘s Veo 3 has summoned the fires of Hell, wasted oceans-full […]
  • Two-time Tony winner Donna Murphy publicly support LuPone-bashed Audra McDonald and Kecia Lewis
    I’m a tremendous Patti LuPone fan as readers of this blog […]
  • On the Rag, Vol. 859
     This week's rag 'n' mag roundup features Vlad Parker, Ashley Parker, David […]
  • OMG, WATCH: Charli xcx wants a Final Destination series with ‘It Girls’
    @charlixcx just a thought.. ♬ original sound – Charli XCX Charli […]
  • OMG, new music: Lorde releases video for ‘Man Of The Year’
    The second single from the forthcoming album is “an offering from […]

Most Commented

Social

Twitter @tlrd | Facebook | Instagram @tlrd

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy
[towleroadmr] [towleroadtn]

Footer

Ptown Hacks 2018

Read

  • Travel
  • Film
  • Law – LGBT Rights
  • Columns
  • Specials

About

  • Advertise
  • Contact Us
  • About Towleroad
  • Towleroad on Social Media
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2025 · Log in

×
×