Rhino Poaching Decreases in South Africa but Increases Overall Across the Continent!

For the first time since 2007 rhino poaching in 2015 had decreased from its usual figures. In 2014, 1,215 rhinos had been poached, but in 2015 this had declined to 1,175. Yes that is only a decline of 40 rhinos but, if the poaching declines in this same rate for the next few years this is a substantial step in stopping the poaching of rhinos.

However, as stated in the title of this post, throughout Africa rhino poaching is still increasing. It is estimated that at least 1,312 rhinos were illegally poached throughout Africa, and 137 of these were poached in Namibia and Zimbabwe alone. This amounts to a 200% increase since 2014.

Tom Milliken, who is a rhino expert from the wildlife-trade monitoring network TRAFFIC, stated, "The poaching epicenter has spread to neighboring Namibia and Zimbabwe, but is nowhere near being extinguished in South Africa." Hunters have now began expanding where they have been hunting which is why the numbers of rhinos poached in countries outside of South Africa has increased.

For more information on this subject the link to an article relating to this is below:
http://www.natureworldnews.com/articles/19544/20160127/rhino-poaching-declines-slightly-south-africa-increases-entire-continent.htm

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The Last Sumatran Rhino in the Western Hemisphere is Leaving the U.S.

An article found recently on BuzzFeed talks about how one of the nine in total in captivity of the rare breed of sumatran rhinos, called Harapan is being moved from the U.S. to Indonesia to be a part of a new captive breeding program for endangered species. 

He is an 8 year old made rhino and his journey will take 50 hours, on sea, land and air, of a total of 1,000 miles. Not only is Harapan's journey long, but it is also unusual. This is due to the need for cooperation between governments (US and Indonesian), special training and multiple permits. Harapan is currently kept in the Cincinnati Zoo where he has been part of a Sumatran rhino breeding program where so far, three calves have been born. Even though this is a great achievement, the zoo is ending its breeding program which is why Harapan is being moved to the Way Kambas National park in Indonesia. He will be part of a new breeding program in Indonesia. 

If you would like to read more on Harapan's story the link to the article will be below and a link to another relating article as well. 

Links:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jasonwells/last-sumatran-rhino-of-western-hemisphere-leaving-the-us#.ce08aBdJa

http://cincinnatizoo.org/blog/2015/08/25/last-sumatran-rhino-in-western-hemisphere-is-leaving-the-cincinnati-zoo/