In the Baberton area, northeast of South Africa, there is the world's largest rhino "orphanage". It can hold about 100 rhinos and is surrounded by high-pressure wire. Visitors were told to turn off their phones to prevent them from being targeted and attracting poachers.

When the reporter came here, Peter ronel neuwert, the founder of the organization, was feeding a rhinoceros. A week ago, the mother of the little rhinoceros was killed by poachers, and it was also wounded. "It's hard for a rhinoceros to live independently in the wild after losing its parents. We will help them on the principle of "rescue, recovery and release." Said petronell.

Here, the reporter saw a lot of hornless rhinos whose horns were cut by poachers. Petronell said the rhino "orphanage" was established 15 years ago to provide care and rehabilitation services for wild rhinos. As rhino poaching has been banned repeatedly in Africa, it has gradually become a shelter for rhinos.

Currently, there are only 20000 to 25000 rhinos left in Africa, and their main habitat is in East Africa and southern Africa. Most of the existing rhinoceros population is on the verge of extinction, and only two females of the northern white rhinoceros are left.

The surge in poaching is one of the reasons for the sharp decline in rhinoceros populations in Africa. In South Africa, for example, nearly 8000 rhinos have been killed in the past 10 years. On the other hand, the expansion of human activities leads to the reduction of animal habitats and the further decline of rhinoceros population.

In order to protect rhinoceros, African countries and some international organizations have taken measures. In order to help African countries reduce and eventually eliminate the illegal trade in wild animals and plants, the United Nations Environment programme adopted the Lusaka agreement on cooperative law enforcement action against illegal trade in wild animals and plants. At present, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Africa and other African countries have signed the agreement. African countries have also protected rhinoceros through measures such as establishing game reserves and providing special protection.

Kruger National Park in South Africa is the main habitat of rhinoceros in Africa. Poaching here accounts for more than half of the total rhinoceros poaching in South Africa. The southern African Institute of wildlife next to the park is a school dedicated to training anti poaching teams and field Rangers. "Kruger National Park faces more than seven poachers a day," water, the school's training officer, told reporters. Some poachers are even equipped with helicopters, so the difficulty of anti poaching is increasing. So we have to make sure we train hard. " According to reports, anti poaching training includes air operations, special training for hounds, field patrol, tracking and investigation, etc.

With the efforts of all parties, rhinoceros protection has made some progress. According to a report released by the South African Ministry of environmental affairs in February, in 2018, the number of rhinos killed illegally in South Africa was 769, 259 fewer than in 2017, a third consecutive year of decline. Namibia's environmental department also said there was a decrease in rhino poaching in the country in 2018.

Some rhino conservation organizations also believe that the decrease in poaching may also indicate a significant decrease in the number of wild rhinos. Protecting rhinos requires not only more action to stop illegal trade, but also high-quality biological management. South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs says fighting poaching remains their top priority in protecting rhinos.

Source: People's daily