Diceros bicornis (Linnaeus, 1758)
THREATS
Historically, hunting has been the major factor in the decline of the African rhinos, with loss of habitat to agriculture and human settlement of secondary importance.16,17 During the 1970s, demand grew in Yemen for 'Jambiya' rhino horn dagger handles (worn as status symbols). This was a consequence of increased income after work became available in the oil-rich Gulf states.11,12 North Yemen became the main market for African rhino horn during the 1970s. This demand led to a 20-fold increase in the price of rhino horn, a corresponding rise in poaching levels, and a great reduction of both Black and White rhinoceros populations. In the early 1980s, half of the horn traded in the world (c 1.75 tonnes) went to North Yemen. The collapse in oil prices in the mid 1980s, changes in cultural priorities amongst the Yemenis, and the issue of government licences for dagger craftsmen, combined with high penalties for the use of rhinoceros horn, resulted in a decline in the level of rhino horn use in Yemen.1,9,25. But at least 70 kg of raw rhino horn was smuggled intoYemen during 1994, representing the death of a minimum of 24 rhinos20 . Results of surveys in 1995 and 1996 showed that substantial amounts of rhino horn were still entering Yemen 25, but with the recent accession of Yemen to CITES, it is to be hoped this will be controlled.
The major current threat to rhinos is the continuing demand for horn for use in traditional Asian medicines. In 1994, a kilogram of rhino horn was estimated to be worth approximately US $60,000 in the Far East,15 the major markets being China, Yemen, Taiwan and South Korea.12 In South Korea the horn is used for the treatment of a variety of ailments including epilepsy, fevers, strokes and AIDS.3,9 The immense significance attached to rhino horn (a survey of medical practitioners in Taiwan showed that 60% stocked rhino horn whilst 27% maintained that it is essential to their work12) continues to stimulate trade in rhino horn. A recent TRAFFIC report26 on the trade in rhino horn in China indicates that the Government of China has had some success in controlling the sale of rhino horn products since a ban was imposed in 1993.
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