Published in The Times on 7 Oct 2010

101007tt - The disappearing rhino population in South Africa

Description & Background

Zapiro's cartoon shows Africa's Big Five - the Lion, the African Elephants, the Leopard, the Cape Buffalo and .. the Rhino is missing as there is an increase in poaching.

What is the meaning and the background to this cartoon?

The rhino population in South Africa is now being threatened by an upsurge in the illegal killing of rhinos in order to export their horn considered incorrectly to have medicinal powers. Illegal syndicates are believed to be making huge profits. The majority of those caught were nationals from rhino poaching syndicates based in Vietnam and China. The 'Big Five' phrase was coined not because of the size of the animal but because of the danger in trying to hunt them

People in the cartoon

Tags

Wild-life conservation •Rhino horn •Big Five •Ecological diversity •East Asia •Environment •Poaching

Text in the cartoon

Africa;s Big Five Rhinopoach Inc. An SA Far East Partnership

Links

• Government initiates anti-poaching discussions with Far East
• Sonjica tackles rhino poachers
• Tutu condemns rhino poaching in SA
• Authorities Arrest Rhino Poachers in South Africa
• Trade in rhino horn fuels massive poaching surge in South Africa
• South African Rhino Poaching – Rhino Wars!

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