January 23, 2015

Google Logo Add Us On GoogleAdd SciAm

A Record 1,215 Rhinos Were Poached in 2014

South Africa has finally finished compiling its report on the number of rhinos poached in the country last year and, as expected, the news is terrible.

By John R. Platt

Join Our Community of Science Lovers!

This article was published in Scientific American’s former blog network and reflects the views of the author, not necessarily those of Scientific American

South Africa has finally finished compiling its report on the number of rhinos poached in the country last year and, as expected, the news is terrible. All-told, 1,215 rhinos were killed by poachers in South Africa in 2014, the highest number ever and an increase of 21 percent over 2013.

By comparison, just 13 rhinos were killed by poachers in 2007. The poaching crisis began the next year and took off in 2010 as more and more of the horns were bound for Asia, where they are used in traditional medicine and as a hangover cure.

The vast majority of last year’s poaching deaths—827—occurred in Kruger National Park, which also holds the majority of South Africa’s rhinos. Unfortunately, the park borders Mozambique and poachers from that country traveled in and out of the reserve with near-impunity. In addition, several Kruger rangers were arrested in the past year and charged with aiding and abetting the poachers.

On supporting science journalism

If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.

Although poaching increased throughout South Africa, so did arrests, which went up to 386 from 343 in 2013. Arrests in Kruger National Park were up from 133 to 174.

South Africa is home to approximately 80 percent of the world’s rhinos, but it is not the only place where rhinos are poached. Outside of South Africa, rhino poaching also took place in several other African and Asian countries. Most notable, 27 rhinos were killed last year in India’s Kaziranga National Park, which recently put out a list of 323 wanted poachers. Namibia lost at least 24 rhinos last year. The deaths affect almost all rhino species, including the black and white rhinos of Africa and the greater one-horned rhinos of India. Only the Sumatran and Javan rhinos of Indonesia appear to have escaped poachers last year. Of course, there are only about 100 and 35 individuals remain from those two species, respectively, so that’s not much of a victory.

Many conservation groups warn that the next decade will be critical for all rhino species. Sumatran and Javan rhinos exist on the brink of extinction. Africa’s rhinos, meanwhile, now lose more rhinos to poachers than they make up with breeding.

Although a new year is now upon us, the deaths are far from over. As of press time, 49 rhinos have already been poached in South Africa in 2015. If last year was any indication, we can expect that number to climb to at least 100 by the end of the month.

Photo: A rhino in Kruger National Park by Russ Huggett. Used under Creative Commons license

Previously in Extinction Countdown:

Elsewhere in Scientific American:

John R. Platt is the editor of The Revelator. An award-winning environmental journalist, his work has appeared in Scientific American, Audubon, Motherboard, and numerous other magazines and publications. His "Extinction Countdown" column has run continuously since 2004 and has covered news and science related to more than 1,000 endangered species. John lives on the outskirts of Portland, Ore., where he finds himself surrounded by animals and cartoonists.

More by John R. Platt

Subscribe to Support Independent Journalism

Great science journalism requires human expertise, time, effort and creativity. And it costs money. That’s why I and the journalists here at Scientific American hope you’ll join our community.

When you subscribe, you are supporting staff and freelance journalists who are passionate about telling science stories that are true, important and compelling. Our editors and reporters are often experts in their fields, which means they understand the nuances of big discoveries and can untangle the breakthroughs from the hype. With a subscription, you are also supporting rigorous fact-checking to ensure the words we publish are precise and accurate. And you’re supporting original illustrations, graphics and photos that bring you closer to an advanced laboratory, an ice sheet in Antarctica or a space mission in orbit. You’re helping us craft other types of high-quality journalism as well: Our newsletters are carefully written, edited and curated by staffers you have or will come to know and love. Our Science Quickly podcast is based on original reporting, collaboration with editors and scientists and exacting production.

Subscriptions keep this engine running so we can continue to deliver thoughtful, rigorous and independent science journalism to you. In an era of viral misinformation, this work is crucial. If you value what we do, I hope you’ll consider joining us as a subscriber

Thank you,

Jeanna Bryner, Editor in Chief, Scientific American

Subscribe