Only 150 years ago, there were over a million black and white rhinos roaming the African Savannah. Now there are only around 15,752 white rhinos and 6,788 black rhinos. While many people believe that the facts about rhino poaching are because of greed and crime, the real picture is a lot more complicated and heartbreaking.
Climate change is causing more problems than just warming our planet. In Africa, a continent already riddled with droughts and disease outbreaks, climate change is making that worse. Quietly increasing the poaching risk for the African rhino in ways most people would never hear about.
This post is all about how climate change is increasing Rhino poaching in Africa.
How Many Rhinos are Left?
In Africa, there are two species of rhino: the White rhino and the Black Rhino. The White Rhino is split into two subspecies (think of these species as cousins). The Southern White Rhino (Near Threatened), which has around 16,800 rhinos left, and the Northern White Rhino, which only has 2 individuals left (Critically Endangered), are affected by the effects of decades of poaching. The Black rhino is split into three subspecies: the Southwestern, Eastern and South-Central. They have populations ranging from 1,471 to 2,720 and are all listed as Critically Endangered.
What makes the loss of these animals so much bigger than just losing this charismatic species is their role in the ecosystem. Rhinos are a keystone species. Which means entire ecosystems depend on them in many ways. When they graze, they manage plant growth, disperse seeds that help create new forests, create clearings for younger plants to thrive, and reduce fire risk by engineering the landscape. So the more rhinos there are in an ecosystem, the better every other animal and plant in that system does. This means when we lose Rhinos, we are not just losing one species. We are pulling a thread that unravels all of the animals and plants connected to it.
Why are rhinos poached?
The main reason rhinos are poached is for their horn. Rhino’s horns are made fully of keratin, the same protein that makes up our hair and nails. Rhino horn is highly demanded in Asia as a traditional Chinese medicine. There is no scientific evidence that rhino horn has any medicinal benefits. As ingesting it is no different to biting your nails and eating them.
Yet, Rhino horn is sold for staggering prices in Asian Markets, selling up to USD$60,000 per kilogram, which makes it more expensive than gold. It is highly demanded in Asia as a status symbol used to display extreme wealth.
So, when did rhino poaching start reaching crisis levels? In South Africa, rhino poaching increased from just 13 in 2007 to over 1,000 annually by 2013. This is what we are dealing with before facing the additional problem of climate change to this mix. The Kruger National Park is the stronghold for rhino conservation located in South Africa. Holding nearly 49% of South Africa’s Rhinos within its borders. If current poaching levels continue, the Rhino population in the Kruger National Park is expected to decline by 35% in just 10 years.
How does climate change push communities toward poaching
Failing Crops
One of the most devastating effects of it in Africa is the change in rainfall patterns or the lack of them. This causes major droughts, which means there is not enough water for crops, livestock, or people to survive on. So crops fail, livestock die, and people who may already be very poor become very desperate as their income collapses. In regions bordering rhino reserves in South Africa, climate-induced drought has caused maize yields to drop from the historical levels of 600-1000 kg/ha to only 300-500 kg/ha. This may be more than half of their livelihoods gone due to climate change, which they contributed very little to.
Africa & Climate Change
This is because the entire continent of Africa has contributed to 2-3% of the world’s global emissions, yet it is disproportionately receiving some of the worst effects of climate change. More droughts, floods, disease outbreaks and the decrease of food production. The communities living closest to these rhinos, who have contributed the least to the problem, are being forced to bear the heaviest consequences of it.
Loss of Livelihoods
When the only livelihood a family has disappears because of a drought they did nothing to cause, things change. Studies have shown that the huge economic inequality between local poverty and the wealth that is generated by the illegal horn trade motivates young men to join these poaching syndicates. Even when they know it is wrong. These decisions are not done from greed but rather desperation of men and boys trying to feed their families, send their younger siblings or children to school, and keep a roof over their heads.
These people aren’t bad; they are just trying to do the best they can with the opportunities in front of them. This is why I always believe that to help our animals and planet, we must make sure that the people and communities who live around them are cared for and can live comfortably without having to participate in wildlife poaching.
How Climate Change Affects Rhino Directly
While drought is pushing vulnerable people towards poaching, it is also pushing rhinos towards people in search of water and food. Rhinos need to drink up to 80 litres of water a day. So, when a water source dries up, they have no choice but to go searching for more. This brings them closer to communities and can increase the chance of poaching.
One fact you may find interesting is that rhinos can’t sweat, which is why they depend on shade, mud pits and water holes to regulate their temperature. As droughts become more frequent and severe. The water holes disappear, leaving rhinos stressed and less able to cope with the climate.
The combined stress of poaching and environmental factors has reduced the lifetime reproductive output of a white rhino cow from having 6 calves in her lifetime to only 0.7. When a mother rhino is poached for her horn, her calf, if aged between 0-2 years old have no chance of surviving in the wild without human intervention.
Looking ahead, by 2085, habitats in parks like Etosha (Namibia) and Hlane Royal (Eswatini) could be unable to support rhinos because of rising heat and aridity. This means that these animals are running out of a safe habitat in which they can thrive.
What is actually working to stop rhino poaching in Africa
What is very exciting and positive is that statistics show that if the amount of poaching is decreased by 35%, the current rhino population could double in just 10 years!!!!
Scientists also say that management and protection need to prioritise female rhino survival. Because they carry and raise calves, which determines whether the population will grow. Also continuing rhino anti-poaching techniques alongside translocations (which are moving individual rhinos to other reserves). De-horning has become one of the best ways to reduce the bounty on these rhinos’ heads. Although after the horn is removed safety by veterinarian teams the horn will regrow. So, this means one animal may have to go through multiple dehorning processes in its life which can be stressful for the animal. However, these are still some of the most effective protection tools to protect rhinos.
Some other exciting work that is happening is community conservation. This is where communities own and manage the reserves. Which means they earn income from making sure rhinos are protected rather than from poaching wildlife. This is an amazing way for the communities and wildlife to support each other.
How you can help stop rhino poaching
No matter where you live in the world, you can help stop rhino poaching!
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
The single biggest contribution you can make to help rhinos and the communities alongside them is to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions. Because now you know that at the core of this crisis is a drying and unpredictable climate for the whole continent of Africa. If you want somewhere to start. Check out my post on 12 Simple Ways to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint You Need to Know About!!
Community Projects
You can support local communities that don’t have reliable access to water by donating to help fund a water well for a community. Check out The Water Project or Water Wells For Africa to donate and make a difference in people’s lives today.
Wildlife Projects
Support credible wildlife organisations to help support rhino populations. Have a look at Save the Rhino, WWF African Rhino Programme, and the African Wildlife Foundation and all of the incredible work these organisations do. Also, have a look at For Rangers. This is an organisation that supports rangers and their families as they put themselves on the front line every day to save beautiful rhino!! You can make a one-off donation, a monthly donation, or even sponsor a Rhino!!!
Ecotourism and Rhinos
If you are planning a trip to Africa. You may want to think about which wildlife tourism operator is the best. Check out Discover Africa’s guide on what to look for and what to avoid when booking a wildlife safari. Ethical tourism is one of the best ways to support conservation and the local communities.
Avoid Wildlife Products
Finally, avoid buying any products that contain wildlife derivatives. This could be rhino or elephant horn, bear bile, tiger bone, big cat skins, crocodile and snake hides or sea turtle shells. Also, share what you have learned today!! Raising awareness is one of the most undervalued tools in conservation.
This post was all about how climate change affects Rhino poaching in Africa.
While rhino poaching in Africa is a complicated story. Tangling in poverty, climate injustice, wildlife crime and ecosystem collapse. It may be hard to see hope. But it is also a story where science, community cooperation, ethical tourism, donations and decreasing carbon emissions can all help! Rhino populations will increase if we all help and support those on the front line protecting these majestic animals.
Thank you for reading! Share this post with your friends and family! Tell me in the comments what you learned. Also what you are going to start doing to make a difference today. Because remember, no matter where you live, you can help save rhinos!!
Georgia xoxo
Some more posts you may like:
3 Must-Read David Attenborough Books About Our Changing World
5 Keystone Species and Why They Are So Important
What is Biodiversity? And Why is it Important?
How to Use iNaturalist: The Beginner’s Guide to Identifying Plants, Animals and Fungi
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