South Africa Rhino Poaching

JOHANNESBURG — Reporting a 25 percent decrease from the number slain in 2017 for their horns, South Africa's environmental affairs ministry said Wednesday that poachers killed 769 rhinos last year.

South Africa is home to most of the world's rhinos. Authorities there say have attributed the encouraging numbers to security and other nationwide anti-poaching efforts, but conservationists speculate that there are simply not enough rhinos left for poachers to kill because of their past intemperance.

Rhino horn is made of the same substance as human fingernails, but consumers in Asian markets believe it has curative effects if ingested in powder form.

Subscribe to Closing Arguments

Sign up for new weekly newsletter Closing Arguments to get the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and hot cases and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world.

Email *

Submit