Rhinos in Mozambique: There are only 20 left

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Rhinos in Mozambique: There are only 20 left

1:13 CAT | 07 Oct 2016

Voa (File photo)

Rhinos are close to extinction in Mozambique. According to Bartolomeu Souto, director of the National Conservation Authority, the most recent census found just over twenty.

The Rhino Foundation, which is dedicated to Rhino protection, has however praised Mozambique’s progress in combating poaching, recommending that the country continues its efforts, especially in the Kruger Park, South Africa, and the Limpopo Park, in Gaza province, where Mozambique and South Africa have strengthened cooperation.

Head ranger in the Kruger National Park, Nicholus Funda, however maintains that the presence of communities near these parks is a constant threat to rhinos, and says the solution is to be in harmony with the communities.

“We’re losing animals. A dead rhino is a big loss – we cannot be satisfied with that. We will be happy when we have zero dead rhino, a reduction of crimes against wildlife, but most of all when communities are satisfied because of work done together,” he says.

To protect the rhino and other species, Mozambique has created a special police force, and Environment Minister Celso Correia highlights the coordination with other justice and policing sectors.

“The new conservation approach, where defence and security forces have done excellent work in combating organised crime and where a newly created community movement is raising environmental awareness in Mozambique, is leadsing the world to realise that Moazambique is committed to conservation,” Correia says.

The Rhino Foundation urged Mozambique to continues its efforts to quash the outflow of rhino horn and ivory to the Asian market, particularly China and Vietnam, as it is in those countries where many of the instigators are based.

“The fight against poaching in Mozambique and South Africa must now be focused on the markets where rhino horn and ivory are sold. This second phase of the war hinges on the Asian market, especially Vietnam and China,” Andrew Pattisson says.

These recommendations came at the International Convention on Endangered Species Trade (CITES) COP 17 meeting.

Mozambique has now come off the list of countries that were under high-level of surveillance, and is now in the ‘normal’ category as regards wildlife conservation.

Source: Voa Portugues