The cost of the CITES TRADE BAN TO AFRICAN RHINO CONSERVATION

Despite the introduction of the CITES international trade ban in 1977, overall rhino populations have suffered a severe decline. It is estimated that some 100 000 have been poached, that 23 African range states no longer have rhino, and that certain countries that still have rhino, have populations of less than 100 animals, and many of those are declining.

All of this is despite attempts to reduce demand, to improve law enforcement, and to implement rhino protection projects costing hundreds of millions of US dollars across Africa.

“If we calculate the asset loss through poaching, the decline in rhino values plus the loss of productivity from the 8 000 animals, this comes to a staggering R9.8 billion loss to South Africa.”