Conservation: The Rhinoceros is 'consumed' by those gambling on a myth or wanting to show off their individual wealth, and others who are simply proud to display their hunting trophy.
A 52-year-old woman in Vietnam is concerned when examinations reveal a spot on her right breast and a shadow on an ovary. When asked by National Geographic if she believes Rhino Horn may help cure her, she says "I don't know, but when you think you might die, it can't hurt to try it." She drains her glass of ground amber-coloured horn mixed with water. "I hope it works," she says.
The black rhinoceros is on the verge of extinction, with only an estimated 5055 black rhinoceroses left in the world. This 96 per cent decline over the past century is due largely to poaching. Despite the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) 1977 international trade ban, Rhino Horn can fetch NZ$60,450 per kilogram in the Asian market.
The northern and southern white rhinos are genetically distinct sub-species, with an estimated total of 20,405 remaining in the world. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy, in Kenya, is home to the last four Northern White Rhinos remaining outside of captivity, transferred from the Czech Zoo in 2009. Despite having had radio transmitters attached and being humanely dehorned, they receive armed guard patrol 24/7 to deter poachers.
In 2012, at least 745 Rhinos were poached throughout Africa, the highest number in two decades. 2013 poaching rates are worse still, with one Rhino killed every 11 hours. There is no room for complacency, according to the IUCN, with the escalating demand threatening to reverse any previous conservation gains.
