This year, we’re saluting rhino heroes, the brave men and women who devote their lives to defending rhinos. Some of them lose their lives.

This year, we’re saluting rhino heroes, the brave men and women who devote their lives to defending rhinos. Some of them lose their lives.

Rhinos are still facing a poaching onslaught, caused by the illegal rhino horn trade driven by demand from Asia. Rhino poaching is often carried out by well-armed, international criminal syndicates using sophisticated technology. By the beginning of September, nearly 300 rhinos had already been killed by poachers in 2011.

Rhino security work on the ground is extremely important, and WWF supports this. But the courageous efforts of rhino heroes need to be backed up by work at other levels. This includes making sure that those guilty of rhino crimes do not walk free on technicalities, and that punishment is commensurate with the crime. In South Africa, officials have begun to conduct more rigorous prosecutions and impose stricter sentences. WWF has called for a corresponding commitment by countries in Asia where illegal demand for rhino horn is driving poachers.

WWF works with government and the National Prosecuting Authority to improve forensic investigation of rhino crime scenes and improve the knowledge and skills of the people who prosecute rhino crimes. With TRAFFIC, WWF engages the Vietnamese and Chinese governments to address Asian demand for illegal rhino horn. We strengthen capacity-building through training of wildlife conservationists at the South African Wildlife College. We fund security equipment and training of rangers at key rhino populations.

Rare Javan Rhino captured on screen!

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WWF celebrates rhino heroes on 9.22 World Rhino Day

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