Rhinos Endangered Over Ivory
Since our post May 18th regarding the largest ivory bust in history in Thailand, we have become aware of additional and growing threats to rhino populations around the world and rhinos endangered over ivory. As world attention and pressure is put on nations and governments to better protect elephants and enforce anti-ivory laws, armed groups, traffickers and poachers are increasingly going after lesser protected rhinos to supply ivory to Chinese markets that have seen prices soar (making ivory ever more “valuable”).
See an important news update (11/2015) at: https://www.
Three current efforts helping to protect the rhino that you should know about:
1.) AirShepherd is using drones to patrol wide areas in Southern Africa, and to track rhinos from above, and from a distance. According to the World Wildlife Fund, nearly 1,300 rhinos were poached in Africa last year, up from 62 killed rhinos in 2007. They also report that one horn can be worth as much as $75,000 on the black market.
The drones use computer models to mark where rhinos eat, drink and mate in order to predict where they will be and where to look for poachers using infrared technology especially along high-risk roads. The AirShepherd Initiative can be found at http://airshepherd.org/ and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/
As of today, they are 81% towards their $500,000 goal with 30 days left.
Watch their video and read more on the technology here: http://www.indiegogo.
There are only an estimated 4,000-5,000 black rhinos and 20,000 white rhinos left in Africa, with one killed by poachers every seven and a half hours, says Joubert, a National Geographic explorer-in-residence, who launched the nonprofit campaign, Rhinos Without Borders, last year in collaboration with tourism partners Great Plains Conservation and andBeyond.
Another organization, noted by National Geographic, that is also involved in relocating and protecting the rhino is http://www.savetherhino.
Check out their Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/
These are just three ways modern technology is being using to protect and conserve our precious wildlife and the noble rhino in the wild. Let us know what you think or if you hear of additional ways groups are using science and technology to aid in the fight against poaching and illegal trade!
