COVID-19 HELPED RHINOS

THE number of rhinos killed by poachers in South Africa fell by over half in the first six months of this year.

Between January and July 2020, the killing of rhinos fell by 53% – and it’s thought to be, in part, because of the coronavirus. The lockdown because of COVID-19 and the disruption it caused to international flights has caused problems for poachers.

Up to July, 166 rhinos were poached in South Africa, compared to 316 in the first half of 2019, the country’s environment minister said.

Rhinos are killed for their horns. They are in demand in Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine or as status symbols.

Sadly, since lockdown restrictions have gradually started to ease in South Africa, rhino poaching has slowly increased again.