This archive report was first published on 23 December 2019.
Published on December 23, 2019, Botswana's rhino population is facing a growing threat from poaching, with devastating consequences for the country's conservation efforts.
According to Rhino Conservation Botswana, the country is home to just under 400 rhinos, most of which roam the grassy plains of the northern Okavango Delta.
However, the situation has taken a turn for the worse, with 13 more rhinos poached since October 2019, bringing the total number of rhinos killed since October 2018 to 31.
Of these, 23 were white rhinoceros and 8 were black rhinoceros, classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The government has stepped up efforts to tackle poaching, with interventions leading to the recovery of some horns and hunting weapons, but the situation remains dire.
With rhino horn sold on the black market for up to 55,000 euros ($60,300) per kilo, the incentive for poachers remains high, and the government's efforts may not be enough to stem the tide of poaching.
