South Africa's anti-COVID-19 lockdown is credited with helping to achieve a dramatic drop in rhino killings, but as the country opens up experts warn of a possible resurgence of poaching of one of Earth's most endangered mammals.
Safari tourists are being urged not to share their wildlife photos with geotagged locations on social media.
“The lockdown presented an opportunity for us. There was no international or local tourism and the lockdown also prevented poachers from moving around and we were able to ramp up our protective measures,” said Albi Modise, spokesman for the Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries. South Africa has about 20,000 rhinos, estimated to be 80% of the world's total population, and the country has been hard hit by poachers killing thefor the illegal international trade in rhino horns. Other countries with significant rhino populations are Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
In the KwaZulu-Natal province, a technologically advanced “smart fence” is being built around the Hluhluwe-iMfolozi park, which alerts park rangers when any intruder tries to sneak into the park.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Key EU states worry South America trade pact may hurt AmazonEU member states remain divided on whether to approve a preliminary free trade deal drafted last year with South American countries because of concerns related to the Amazon deforestation and the respect of European standards
Read more »
Democratic challenger says Sen. Graham is ‘betraying’ South Carolina votersSen. Lindsey Graham’s (R-SC) hypocrisy over the nomination of a Supreme Court justice just weeks away from election day shows he’s “exhausted his time in Washington,” says his Democratic challenger Jaime Harrison. Polls show the race is tied, and Harrison tells Lawrence O’Donnell the “momentum is on our side.”
Read more »
Breakingviews - Corona Capital: South Korea, G4S, InformaFrom Breakingviews: South Korean exports sputter back to life, and G4S’s results bolster its takeover defenses. Catch up with the latest financial insights
Read more »
South African Actors, Crew Unite to Produce ‘Jerusalema’ Dance FilmWhile international film and TV shoots have been halted in South Africa for the past six months due to a ban on foreign flights during the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the local industry have foun…
Read more »
Boeing gearing up for 787 move to South Carolina: sourcesBoeing Co is nearing a decision to shift more 787 Dreamliner production to South Carolina, industry sources said, a cost-cutting strategy accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic that would deplete its iconic factory north of Seattle.
Read more »