(un)Happy Rhino Day

September 22 2011 at 09:34am

KAMCILLA PILLAY

Today is World Rhino Day. But the day set aside to celebrate one of Africa’s Big Five has been tainted with news that four more rhino have been killed by poachers in KwaZulu-Natal game reserves over the past few weeks.

Two white rhino were shot and dehorned in the wilderness section of the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park at the weekend.

At Ndumo Game Reserve, on the province’s northern border with Mozambique, two rhino – one white, one black, were killed this month.

A total of 287 rhino have been poached in South Africa this year – the killing rate now exceeding one rhino a day. Last year, 333 rhino were poached.

Those battling against rhino extinction are trying to put across a simple message – rhino horn is not medicine. Local animal rights and conservation groups are convinced that having a day dedicated to the fight against poaching is a step in the right direction.

Ethel Horsman of Animal Action said she was glad a light was being shone on the issue. “My organisation is pro-life, so we hate to see any animal so brutally murdered,” she said.

Chris Galliers, conservation project manager at the Wildlife and Environmental Society of SA (Wessa), said the day would be key in highlighting the situation.

“Especially with the day falling so close to Heritage Day, it is important to acknowledge these animals as part of our heritage,” he said.

Countries around the world are also observing the day.