By Ed Stoddard
JOHANNESBURG Aug 23 (Reuters) – Almost two rhinos are being
poached each day in South Africa to meet surging Asian demand
for their horns which are now worth more than their weight in
gold.
With the death toll in 2012 to date at close to 300, South
Africa looks certain to lose far more than the 448 rhinos it
lost last year to poachers.
Against the backdrop of this carnage, Clive Walker, one of
South Africa’s most respected conservationists, and his son
Anton, argue in the “The Rhino Keepers” that the global
community should seriously consider lifting a ban on trade in
rhino horn.
Like America’s “War on Drugs”, prohibiting the sale of rhino
horn has not prevented people from trying to get their hands on
the stuff, and they are willing to pay very high prices.
Clive Walker spoke to Reuters ahead of the recent launch of
the book.
Q: What prompted you to write the book and take the approach
you took?
A: “I wanted to approach the subject with an open, neutral
mind because the issue is very sensitive, very controversial.”
Q: The crisis is escalating. Do you think rhinos could go
extinct in our lifetime?
Continued…
