Political Conflict

Poaching is the main threat to rhinos’ survival (read more about poaching for Jambiya handles here or read about for poaching traditional Chinese Medicine here). Conservationists obviously try to prevent poaching from occurring, whether by mounting intensive anti-poaching patrols and maintaining high visibility, by fencing sanctuaries, or by incentivising locals to pass on intelligence.

In some locations, where normal law and order has broken down – particularly in war zones or where there is political instability – it has become much easier for the poachers to kill rhinos and other endangered species. Particular examples of places where political conflict has been matched by a rise in poaching include the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe and Nepal.

Links and articles

• You can read detailed examples of the impact of political conflict on rhino populations in DRC, Zimbabwe and Nepal in this article by Cathy Dean and Tom Foose. Read 'Political conflict', on the Rhino Resource Center website

• Read more about the four northern white rhinos translocated to Ol Pejeta conservancy in Kenya from Dvur Kralove zoo in Czech Republic (there are only seven northern white rhinos left in the world, the last remaining individuals after decades of armed conflict and civil wars, which exacerbated the decline of wild rhino populations) Find out more on the Ol Pejeta conservancy website