|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Poaching |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
 |
|
|
Poaching has been the main and probably the sole cause for the depletion of the ANP rhino population. In 1982, 20 fresh carcasses were seen within one month in the Salient by S. Weller. The last outbreak of organized poaching occurred in 1984. During our study, six rhino skulls were collected and their age estimated using Hitchins' method. Five were from animals less than 15 years old and were likely killed by poachers: the nasal region of three skulls bore signs of cutting by a sharp instrument, presumably utilized to remove the horns. The sixth, approximately a 29 year-old, was killed within 400 metres of one of the guard outposts, revealing the limited influence the Rhino Surveillance Unit was having in preventing poaching in the Salient. At least one elephant was killed in 1987 by poisoned arrow heads planted on the ground.
|
|
|
Threats to Aberdare rhinos: predation versus poaching
File available
details
Original text on this topic: