Rhino and Elephant Protection

Please, speak out now to save super-tuskers

Send a letter to the president of Tanzania

Home Our Work Rhino and Elephant Protection

Overview

As poaching and habitat loss ravage rhinoceros and elephant populations, protections for these species are vitally important. Today, all five rhino species and both elephant species are threatened with extinction. Efforts are underway across the globe to save these iconic animals.

10

The estimated number of Super Tuskers left in the Greater Amboseli population

2-3

The number of rhinos poached every day in South Africa

50

Percent by which Asian elephant populations have declined in the past 75 years

The Issue

Rhinos and elephants, beloved throughout the world, face severe threats from poaching, along with habitat loss and fragmentation. Elephant tusks and rhino horns are highly valued in the wildlife trade. Elephants and rhinos are ecologically important and the ecosystems would suffer without them.

Facts about rhino and elephant protection:

Elephant ivory is made from dentine, a material in human teeth, and rhino horn is made from keratin, the material in human fingernails.
Elephants and rhinos often experience painful deaths when poached. Rhinos may have their horns cut off while they are still alive and contrary to belief, elephants do not lose their tusks; they are hacked out by poachers.
Habitat loss and fragmentation pushes elephants and rhinos closer to humans, where they may be killed by locals.
Legal trade in these animals’ parts in some countries allows elephant and rhino poachers to launder their illegal products and skirt existing laws.
Only male Asian elephants have tusks. However, Asian elephants of both sexes are targeted by poachers for their skins.
Rhino horn is highly valued in Traditional Chinese Medicine in parts of East Asia, despite being ineffective and unnecessary.

Vanessa Mignon

Our work in action

Third ‘super tusker’ elephant killed in Tanzania within the past six months

“The intrinsic value that these bulls bring to elephant society through their genetics, as repositories of social knowledge and as keystones of the environment, is irreplaceable.” -Dr Audrey Delsink, HSI/Africa,

Victory: US restricts the import of live African elephants and trophies

“The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s move is a meaningful step toward saving African elephants from extinction.” – Kitty Block, HSI

Breaking: Canada enacts historic ban on elephant ivory and rhino horn trade

“At last, Canadians can rest assured that our country is doing our part to ensure these majestic animals have a future.” -Kelly Butler, HSI/Canada

New camera trap IDs for Viet Nam’s endangered elephants could help turn human-elephant conflict into human-elephant coexistence

“With HSI’s new research data, conflict situations can be approached knowing the characteristics, behavior, range and habits of the specific elephants involved, so that custom-designed solutions can be implemented that have a far better chance of promoting peaceful co-existence between people and pachyderms.” -Phuong Tham, Viet Nam country director for HSI

Unique community-based conservation project launched around Ithala Game Reserve to promote human-elephant coexistence

“With Project Elefence, the surrounding communities are essential partners who have a clear vested interest in making this work to protect and enhance their land tenure, livelihoods, crops and property.” -Audrey Delsink, elephant biologist and HSI/Africa director of wildlife

Immunocontraception: A vital tool for the future of humane elephant management

“We’re delighted to see more and more elephant managers control elephant population growth in a proactive, effective and humane manner.” -Audrey Delsink, HSI/Africa wildlife director

Research collaboration aims to improve well-being for elephants and co-existence with people

“While we know a lot about elephants, there’s so much more to learn—especially the effects that human interventions and management have on their lives and welfare.”-Dr. Audrey Delsink, HSI/Africa wildlife director

"I'm a Little Rhino"

“By cultivating compassion for wildlife in children at a young age, we can ensure that demand for rhino horn will continue to decrease in the future.” -Adam Peyman, director, HSI wildlife programs

Yoh Daikan

“I was deeply saddened to learn that by the time my young daughter grows up, elephants may no longer exist in the wild. I am humbled to lend my voice to save these amazing creatures.” -Yoh Daikan, Yomiuri Giants

More you can do

1. Speak out now to save super tuskers

Write to the president of Tanzania

Amboseli Trust for Elephants: Amboseli scientists reveal identity of slain bull in Tanzania

Amboseli Trust for Elephants: An appeal to end elephant trophy hunting

Science: Stop elephant hunting in Tanzania borderlands

Africa Geographic: Has Zito the cross-border super tusker been trophy-hunted in Tanzania?

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Rhino and Elephant Protection

Please, speak out now to save super-tuskers

Overview

10

2-3

50

The Issue