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Why have rhinoceroses and African elephants been heavily poached?
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Rhinoceroses and African elephants have been heavily poached due to the high commercial value of their body parts, which are sought after in both legal and black markets. It is a fundamental ethical imperative to protect these species from such exploitation, as poaching is a major existential threat that contributes significantly to biodiversity loss.1
- Rhinoceroses: These animals are primarily targeted for their horns, which are composed of keratin. Despite being widely misreported as an aphrodisiac, the horn is highly valued in traditional Chinese medicine as an antifever agent and is also used to create items such as dagger handles. Because rhinoceroses have low reproductive rates, the loss of breeding-age individuals to poachers severely hinders population recovery.23
- African Elephants: These animals are slaughtered for their ivory tusks. Ivory is prized for its beauty, durability, and suitability for carving into figurines and other aesthetic objects. Although international bans, such as those enforced by CITES, have been implemented, illegal trade persists to meet demand in parts of Asia.145