Rhino Rescue

One million rhinos roamed Africa 150 years ago. Today, only about 5,000 black rhinos and 20,000 white rhinos remain there. (The three other rhino species live in Asia.)

Buying and selling rhino horns across country lines is illegal. But the practice persists on the black market. One pound of rhino horn can fetch $30,000 to $50,000. 

In South Africa, impoverished communities often help poachers for a cut of the profits. Some local people even track rhinos, then radio their locations to poachers.

One million rhinos roamed Africa 150 years ago. Today, only about 5,000 black rhinos and 20,000 white rhinos remain there. (The three other rhino species live in Asia.)

Buying and selling rhino horns across country lines is illegal. But the practice continues on the black market. One pound of rhino horn can fetch $30,000 to $50,000.

In South Africa, poor communities often help poachers for a share of the profits. Some local people even track rhinos. They then radio the animals’ locations to poachers.

Many poachers in South Africa come from nearby Mozambique. That nation is one of the poorest in the world, and it lacks strict penalties for poaching or for possessing rhino horn. Its hunters often cross undetected into South Africa’s Kruger National Park, kill rhinos and hack off their horns, then escape back across the border. 

The poachers are highly skilled, says Beverly Joubert. They use tools such as drones and night vision equipment. Some line their escape routes with armed men to help them avoid capture. “They’re in and out very, very quickly,” she says.

Many poachers in South Africa come from nearby Mozambique. That nation is one of the poorest in the world. It does not have strict penalties for poaching or for possessing rhino horn. Its hunters often cross into South Africa’s Kruger National Park without being noticed. They kill rhinos and hack off their horns. The hunters then escape back across the border.

The poachers are highly skilled, says Beverly Joubert. They use tools such as drones and night vision equipment. Some line their escape routes with armed men to help them avoid capture. “They’re in and out very, very quickly,” she says.

If rhinos were to become extinct, the entire African continent—both people and wildlife—would be affected. Black rhinos eat tough bushes and plants, clearing paths for grazing animals. White rhinos munch on thick tall grass, turning dense fields into rolling grasslands. 

Rhinos are also vital to Africa’s economy. Millions of people visit the continent every year in the hope of seeing rhinos, elephants, and lions. Such tourism contributes $80 billion a year to Africa. 

“The communities that live around national parks thrive and benefit from the ecotourism dollars,” Dereck Joubert says. The poorer communities are, the more likely people there are to poach.

If rhinos were to become extinct, the entire African continent would be affected. This includes people and wildlife. Black rhinos eat tough bushes and plants, which clears paths for grazing animals. White rhinos munch on thick tall grass, which turns dense fields into rolling grasslands.

Rhinos are also very important to Africa’s economy. Millions of people visit the continent every year in the hope of seeing rhinos, elephants, and lions. Such tourism contributes $80 billion a year to Africa.

“The communities that live around national parks thrive and benefit from the ecotourism dollars,” Dereck Joubert says. Poorer communities are more likely to poach.

Conservationists say relocation projects such as Rhinos Without Borders will make it harder for poachers to reach rhinos. 

When Rhinos Without Borders began, Botswana had fewer than 100 rhinos. Today, thanks to the group’s efforts, there are about 170. Local officials hope to grow the population to 400. 

The airlift operation is shrouded in secrecy to help keep poachers at bay. In the rhinos’ new homes, the animals are fitted with tracking devices, and armed guards protect them around the clock. 

Conservationists say that relocation projects such as Rhinos Without Borders will make it harder for poachers to reach rhinos.

When Rhinos Without Borders began, Botswana had fewer than 100 rhinos. Today, thanks to the group’s efforts, there are about 170. Local officials hope to grow the population to 400.

The details of the airlift operation are kept secret to help keep poachers at bay. In the rhinos’ new homes, the animals are fitted with tracking devices. Armed guards protect them around the clock.

Experts say Botswana is an ideal place to relocate rhinos. The nation’s successful anti-poaching efforts are supported by its military, which is well funded and well trained. The country allows the military to shoot poachers on the spot, a strong deterrent to illegal hunting.  

With just 2 million people, Botswana has a much smaller population than South Africa, which has 53 million people. Botswana’s wildlife areas are large, with almost no road access, making them easier for rangers to protect.

Experts say that Botswana is an ideal place to relocate rhinos. The nation’s successful anti-poaching efforts are supported by its military, which is well funded and well trained. The country allows the military to shoot poachers on the spot. This greatly deters illegal hunting.

Botswana has just 2 million people. This is a much smaller population than South Africa, which has 53 million people. Botswana’s wildlife areas are large. They have very few roads. This makes the areas easier for rangers to protect.

Several other projects are in the works to help protect rhinos, including cutting off their horns in a way that doesn’t hurt the animals (see sidebar, "An Extreme Solution?," below). Over the past decade, governments and conservation groups have also relocated some of South Africa’s rhinos to Kenya and  Zambia.  

Authorities are installing infrared cameras that can detect human movement in some of Africa’s protected areas. Wildlife groups are seeking to increase penalties for traffickers as well. 

The efforts have already started to pay off. In South Africa, rhino deaths have dropped from a record high of 1,215 four years ago to 1,028 in 2017. 

Educating people that rhino horn isn’t a magic cure—and that for every rhino horn bought, a rhino has been killed—is also key. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is trying to spread the word. “The message is to make it uncool,” says Bas Huijbregts of WWF.

Several other projects are in the works to help protect rhinos. This includes cutting off their horns in a way that does not hurt the animals (see sidebar, "An Extreme Solution?," below). Over the past decade, governments and conservation groups have also relocated some of South Africa’s rhinos to Kenya and Zambia.

Authorities are installing infrared cameras that can detect human movement in some of Africa’s protected areas. Wildlife groups are seeking to increase penalties for traffickers as well.

The efforts have already started to pay off. In South Africa, rhino deaths have dropped from a record high of 1,215 four years ago to 1,028 in 2017.

Educating people that rhino horn is not a magic cure is crucial. For every rhino horn bought, a rhino has been killed. The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is trying to spread the word. “The message is to make it uncool,” says Bas Huijbregts of WWF.

The Jouberts believe that if Rhinos Without Borders succeeds, new populations of black rhinos and white rhinos will flourish in Botswana, safe from poachers. Both species have faced the threat of extinction before and bounced back. Wildlife experts hope the animals can overcome poaching again. In a hopeful sign, the relocated rhinos have already given birth to 11 calves.

“It is always going to be a battle,” Dereck Joubert says. “But I don’t think it’s a battle that we are prepared to lose.”

The Jouberts believe that if Rhinos Without Borders succeeds, new populations of black rhinos and white rhinos will flourish in Botswana. They will be safe from poachers. Both species have faced the threat of extinction before and bounced back. Wildlife experts hope the animals can overcome poaching again. In a hopeful sign, the relocated rhinos have already given birth to 11 calves.

“It is always going to be a battle,” Dereck Joubert says. “But I don’t think it’s a battle that we are prepared to lose.”