South Africa is facing a severe rhino poaching crisis, driven by a growing demand from certain Asian countries where rhino horns are sought after for their supposed therapeutic benefits in traditional medicine.
Recent official statistics reveal that nearly 500 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2023, marking an 11% increase from 2022, despite the government’s efforts to protect this endangered species.
The NGO Save the Rhino has highlighted the alarming nature of these figures, calling for urgent action against poachers. “There is no immediate solution, but with a rhino being poached every 17 hours in South Africa, we cannot afford to waste any more time,” warned Jo Shaw, President of the NGO.
