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Graeme Greene book "The New Big 5" - a photo book of endangered species - 2023

"From the towering giraffe to the bright orange and blue rock agama to the deep-sea anglerfish that produces its own light, we live alongside creatures that are a match for anything science fiction writers have imagined to populate alien worlds," writes Graeme Green in his book The New Big 5, published this month. In April 2020, the wildlife photographer launched a project to flip the idea of the "Big 5" of trophy hunting on its head, inviting people around the world to vote online for their five favourite animals to photograph and see in photos; the New Big 5 of wildlife photography, as decided by the public vote, are the elephant, polar bear, lion, gorilla, and tiger.

Spotted torrent frog, Santa Barbara Park, Ecuador, Lucas Bustamante; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status: Critically Endangered (Credit: Lucas Bustamante)

Spotted torrent frog, Santa Barbara Park, Ecuador, Lucas Bustamante; International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) status: Critically Endangered (Credit: Lucas Bustamante)

Namibia reports record level of rhino poaching in 2022

Namibia reports record level of rhino poaching

Close-up of a female white rhino in Namibia

A female white rhino in Namibia


The number of endangered rhinos poached in Namibia last year was the highest on record and almost twice as many as the year before, officials say.

A total of 87 rhinos were killed compared with 45 in 2021, official government data show.

Most were poached in Etosha, Namibia's biggest national park, officials say.

Rhino numbers in Africa have dropped significantly in recent decades to feed demand for rhino horn in China and Vietnam.

Vietnamese rhino horn traffickers charged in South Africa

Two Vietnamese nationals in South Africa have been charged with the illegal possession of 41kg (90lbs) of rhino horn, police have told the BBC. Officials say it is the largest amount of black market rhino horn to be seized in South Africa. The men, believed to be linked to an international poaching ring, had been under surveillance before their arrest at a Johannesburg airport, police say. Nearly 900 rhino have been killed in South Africa since January. Rhino horn can sell for up to $65,000 (£47,500) per kg - which is nearly double the price of gold - with China and Vietnam being the largest markets. Police say the illegal haul was found by a dog that specialises in sniffing out rhino horn at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Sunday. 'National crisis' Paul Ramaloko, spokesperson for South Africa's organised crime fighting unit, told the BBC it was equivalent of 20 rhino horns with an estimated value of $358,000. Some South Africans have staged protests calling for more action against poaching. "Rhino poaching is regarded as a national crisis - for this reason those found guilty of the crime are dealt with harshly," he said. It is believed that the horns were most likely to have been removed from animals in South Africa's Kruger National Park, but tests need to be done to determine their origin, officials say.

Rhino poaching in South Africa reaches record levels

Rhino poaching in South Africa reaches record levels

 
dead rhino
 
A dead rhino is dehorned by a researcher in Zimbabwe.
 

Figures from the South African government indicate that poaching for rhinoceros has increased substantially in the last year.

A record 668 rhinos were killed for their horns in 2012, up almost 50% on the number for 2011.

The majority of the animals were killed in the Kruger national park, the country's biggest wildlife reserve.

 

“Rhinos are being illegally killed...all for the frivolous

 

use of their horns as a hangover cure” Sabri Zain TRAFFIC

 

Experts say that growing demand for rhino horn in Asia is driving the slaughter.

South Africa is home to around three quarters of the world's rhinoceros

population of around 28,000 animals. In 2007 a mere 13 animals were lost to poachers.

But since then the killing has increased substantially. It is being fuelled

by the belief in countries like China and Vietnam that powdered rhino horn has

medicinal powers and can impact diseases like cancer. Horns can sell for around $65,000 a kg.

Poaching crisis

The rich rewards have attracted criminal gangs who deploy a range of

sophisticated technologies in their efforts to capture and dehorn the animals.