Kenya to relocate its rhinos to tackle the menace of poachers

Ranchers in Kenya are faced with a major problem of poachers who kill the rhinos for their horns – these sell at attractive prices (nearly $60,000 per Kg) in the international market as ‘miracle drug’, hence there is a never ending demand for these exotic products.

In order to ensure safety of their herds, the owners are planning to relocate their rhinos as reported in canada.com of 11th of May 2012.

Ass indicated by one of the ranchers, keeping alive one rhino takes nearly $1200 per month – to guard the animals, there has to be a large number of guards and regular surveillance by helicopters. Therefore, for a large herd, the cost can be enormous.

Kenya has the world’s largest collection of rhinos – roughly 600 black and 300 white species. But, in 2009, it lost 12 black and six white rhinos to poachers.

In the period 2007 to 2011, Kenya lost 75 rhinos and, in 2012, another 12 till date as per the information given by Kenya Wild life officials – this is a dangerous trend.

The poachers kill the animals and cut off the horn – that is all they want. And for that selfish motive, the rhino must die.

Apparently, the horns contain keratin – a common substance found in the hooves of animals, and in human nails and hair. It has no medicinal value as such, still there is a huge demand, a sort of craze.