Rhino horn, made up of keratin, the same component as our fingernails, grows throughout the animal's life.
In addition to being a sign of high social status, it would cure certain ailments according to traditional Chinese medicine: fever, cancer, rheumatism, and even a hangover!
The demand for rhino horns has never been so strong, especially on the Asian market (China and Vietnam).
In ten years, rhinoceros poaching has increased by more than 9300%!
The trafficking of this horn is now considered to be more lucrative than that of drugs.
The birth of Wildlife Angel
Passionate about nature and Africa, Sergio Lopez one day witnessed a poaching scene on a rhinoceros.
Shocked and revolted, he decides to put his knowledge and know-how in the field of protection and the fight against crime at the service of wildlife and those who protect it.
This is how the NGO Wildlife Angel was born!
Wildlife Angel Missions
Wildlife Angel has given itself two main missions.
First, protect African wildlife in danger of extinction by training rangers in ecological animal monitoring (observations, camera traps, biology), territory surveillance (patrols on foot, in 4x4s, with drones), in tracking for detecting the presence of poachers and recognizing the processes they use to cover their tracks or lead on false tracks, as well as crime scene investigations to ensure the prosecution of criminals.
Second, to enable local rangers to effectively carry out their missions while protecting their lives through accurate knowledge of handling weapons to defend themselves and wildlife, forming patrols to move through the savannah safely, to monitoring the perimeter of movement and crossing risk areas, learning survival techniques, first aid, methods of communication and orientation in the bush, as well as physical training and training in self-defense techniques.
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Should animals be dehorned?
The cutting of rhinoceros horn is a solution initiated in Namibia to respond to the threat of poaching.
The idea is simple: no horn, no poaching!
This operation must be repeated approximately every two years given the speed of regrowth.
But what to do with the cut horn, because its sale is strictly regulated, even prohibited?
Some large landowners, with vast private reserves where many rhinos live, are campaigning for the legalization of this sale.
According to them, it would make it possible to finance the fight against poaching.
But wouldn't that be a disguised way of getting rich by breeding animals and harvesting their horns every two years?
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The World of Animals & Nature
is a magazine dedicated to wild fauna and flora from around the world.
Through captivating stories and sublime photographs, the magazine offers a real visual safari in the heart of nature.
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