Rhino numbers grew throughout Africa final 12 months, conservationists mentioned on Thursday, hailing the primary little bit of “excellent news” in a decade for an animal threatened by poaching.
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Practically 23 300 rhinos roamed the continent on the finish of final 12 months, up 5.2 % on 2021, in accordance with the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
“With this excellent news, we are able to take a sigh of aid for the primary time in a decade,” mentioned Michael Knight, a wildlife ecologist who chairs the IUCN’s African Rhino Specialist Group.
The IUCN mixed rhino estimates from numerous nations to supply the continental tally and mentioned “a mix of safety and organic administration initiatives” had led the variety of black rhinos to extend by 4.2 % to six 487.
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White rhinos had been up 5.6 % to 16 803 – the primary improve since 2012, IUCN mentioned.
“It’s crucial to additional consolidate and construct upon this optimistic improvement and never drop our guard,” mentioned Knight.
Rhinos have been decimated by many years of poaching pushed by demand from Asia, the place horns are utilized in conventional drugs for his or her supposed therapeutic results.
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Greater than 550 rhinos had been killed by poachers throughout the continent in 2022, principally in South Africa, in accordance with the IUCN.
South Africa is dwelling to just about 80 % of the world’s rhinos. Poachers there have more and more focused privately-owned reserves of their hunt for horns, extremely sought in black markets the place the value per weight rivals that of gold and cocaine at an estimated $60 000 per kilogram.
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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