333 in one year.
The poaching of black rhino for the international rhino horn trade is the largest influence that humans have had on their current status as critically endangered. Just recently in 2010, a total of 333 Black Rhinos were killed in South Africa, in nearly one a day ("Black Rhino Threats," n.d.). This senseless slaughter of rhino persists, because of how valuable they are on the black market (for uses in Chinese medicine and ornamental handles of ceremonial daggers used in some Middle East countries). In addition to this, rhino horn is now more and more commonly used as a status symbol to show one's success and wealth. In recent years there has been a rise in black market prices for rhino horn, which have correlated with an increase in poaching. This change also comes after a new use of rhino horn to supposedly treat cancer, a claim for which there is no scientific evidence ("Diceros Bicornis Threats," n.d.).
Because black rhino populations live in many third world countries, the political climate of these places also play a role in the increase in poaching. Countries ranging from Cameroon to Chad to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have all seen a decline in black rhino population due to war and civil unrest since the 1960s ("Diceros Bicornis Threats," n.d.). In many of these countries there has been, or still is some kind of political instability and lack of any sort of law enforcement. This makes it much easier for the poachers to kill black rhinos. Some specific effects of war and civil unrest on black rhino populations include the trading of rhino horn for weapons, increased poaching due to increased poverty and low levels of protection for rhino populations as funds are taken away from wildlife departments. ("Diceros Bicornis Threats," n.d.)
With addition to poaching, habitat loss is the second major human influence which has led to the declining Black Rhino numbers. This loss of habitat is a result of numerous human activities, such as the clearance of land for human settlement, agricultural production and logging (both authorized and illegal types). Continuation of these activities without any concern for protecting Black Rhinos will only further decrease population numbers ("Rhino Population Figures," n.d.).
Because black rhino populations live in many third world countries, the political climate of these places also play a role in the increase in poaching. Countries ranging from Cameroon to Chad to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, have all seen a decline in black rhino population due to war and civil unrest since the 1960s ("Diceros Bicornis Threats," n.d.). In many of these countries there has been, or still is some kind of political instability and lack of any sort of law enforcement. This makes it much easier for the poachers to kill black rhinos. Some specific effects of war and civil unrest on black rhino populations include the trading of rhino horn for weapons, increased poaching due to increased poverty and low levels of protection for rhino populations as funds are taken away from wildlife departments. ("Diceros Bicornis Threats," n.d.)
With addition to poaching, habitat loss is the second major human influence which has led to the declining Black Rhino numbers. This loss of habitat is a result of numerous human activities, such as the clearance of land for human settlement, agricultural production and logging (both authorized and illegal types). Continuation of these activities without any concern for protecting Black Rhinos will only further decrease population numbers ("Rhino Population Figures," n.d.).