Demand for rhinoceros horns in Asia in general, and Vietnam in particular, has driven poaching to a 15-year-high and pushed the animals perilously close to extinction, major conversation groups have warned.

One of the last Javan Rhinos of Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam, caught on film with a camera trap (Photo courtesy of rhinoresourcecenter.com)

The report by World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF), the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and affiliated wildlife monitoring network TRAFFIC highlighted Vietnam as a “major destination for illegal commerce in rhinoceros horn” since about five years ago.

“In that country, ongoing research is uncovering evidence that rhinoceros horns are currently being promoted for medical uses that greatly expand the scope of rhinoceros horn usage as described in the traditional literature,” the report said.

It underscored evidence that rhino horn was used for treating cancers.

The groups also said an average of 3.5 rhinos were poached every month across Africa between 2000 and 2005.

But over three times as many, or 12.4 rhinos on average, are now being killed illegally in South Africa and Zimbabwe each month, they added.

“This is the worst rhino poaching we have seen in many years and it is critical for governments to stand up and take action to stop this deadly threat to rhinos worldwide,” Susan Lieberman, director of WWF’s Species Program, said in a statement.

In 2008, at least 162 rhinos were killed in the two southern African countries, and another 62 have been poached during the first half of 2009, the report said.

The toll could still increase as more evidence was uncovered, it added.

“2008 will probably represent the highest level of illegal rhinoceros killing in at least 15 years,” the agencies said in the report.

The largest markets for illegally procured horns are traditionally in the Middle East, especially Yemen, where they are prized as dagger handles.

However, CITES spokesman Vasquez said that there is now a worrying trend that the illegal trade is turning increasingly to Asia where there is demand for usage in traditional medicine.

“There has been a sudden strong demand in Asia,” he told AFP, warning that poaching is “undermining at least 20 years of conservation efforts in southern Africa.”

In many Asian countries, rhino horn has long been regarded as a vital ingredient in folk cures for many illnesses as well as for male sexual impotency, although medical specialists say it has no healing or potency powers.

Trade in any rhino parts is banned under the international CITES treaty, the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.

In South Africa, where a quota of rhino hunting is allowed, poachers are posing as trophy hunters, Vasquez said.

“We have seen some evidence that organized crime is now involved in this trade, and this is very worrying,” he explained, noting that “sophisticated techniques, corruption and abuse of diplomatic immunity” have been used in this illegal trade.

The conservation groups urged CITES to get African and Asian states that have stocks of rhinoceros horns or derivatives to declare these holdings.

Such information is necessary so that “firm international action can be taken to arrest this immediate threat to rhinoceros populations worldwide,” they said.

VietNamNet/TN