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AWF Opposes Proposed Legal Rhino Horn Trade
- 03/14/17
- Johannesburg, South Africa
The government of South Africa recently closed its public comment period regarding a proposal to legalize the domestic trade of rhino horn. Under the proposed legislation, foreigners with a permit would be able to export up to two horns for “personal purposes.” The following is a statement from Philip Muruthi, vice president for species protection from the African Wildlife Foundation:
Zoo Poaching: Grim Reminder of Rhino Crisis
- 03/09/17
- Nairobi, Kenya
Earlier this week, poachers reportedly broke into a zoo in Thoiry, France, killing a 4-year-old white rhinoceros and removing its horn. The following is a statement from Philip Muruthi, vice president for species protection at the African Wildlife Foundation, in response to the news.
Rhino Poaching Drops Slightly in 2016
- 02/28/17
- Nairobi, Kenya
For the second consecutive year, South Africa has announced a drop in rhino poaching numbers compared to the previous year. The country lost 1,054 rhino to poaching in 2016, down from 1,175 in 2015 and 1,215 in 2014. While the trend shows movement in the right direction for the country’s rhino, African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) finds that the current rate of poaching, with a rhino killed every eight hours, remains unacceptable.
Ugandan Authorities Seize 1.5 Tons of Ivory
- 02/19/17
- Kampala, Uganda
Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and Uganda Police Friday raided a palatial home in the suburbs of the capital and arrested three men believed to be dealers in the illegal ivory trade. The law enforcement agents, who were acting on a tip from the Natural Resources Conservation Network, a local non-governmental organization, also seized an estimated 1.5 tons of ivory products during the Friday evening raid.
Cameroon Burns 3 Tons of Pangolin Scales
- 02/17/17
- Yaoundé, Cameroon
The world’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin, is getting much-needed attention on the day before World Pangolin Day, with what may be the world’s first-ever burn of pangolin scales. Cameroon’s Ministry of Forests and Wildlife burned 3,094 kg—approximately 3 tons—of pangolin scales at 11:00 a.m. local time in Yaoundé. Representatives from the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Africa's oldest and largest conservation organization, attended the event in a show of solidarity.