The undetected trade in rhino horn

Abstract

Calculations from field data suggest that trade statistics account for a half or less of the rhinos poached in Africa since 1970. Recent trade surveys may have improved the level of detection, but large volumes of poached horn go unaccounted. Trade bans have not discernably slowed the loss of rhinos. The market is far more likely to be throttled by redoubled efforts to protect 3,000 of the remaining 3,800 black rhinos in African strongholds than by trade action.