South Africa's rhino poaching drops during virus lockdown

South Africa's anti-COVID-19 lockdown is credited with helping to achieve a dramatic drop in rhi killings, but as country opens up experts warn of a possible resurgence of poaching of one of Earth's most endangered mammals.

Redoubled efforts are critical to protect country's rhiceros population, South African officials and wildlife activists say, as World Rhi Day is marked Tuesday.

South Africa's nationwide shutdown to combat spre of coronavirus was imposed at end of March and stopped all international and domestic travel. country has grually reopened and will allow a return of international tourists on Oct. 1.

“ lockdown presented an opportunity for us. re was international or local tourism and lockdown also prevented poachers from moving around and we were able to ramp up our protective measures,” said Albi Modise, spokesman for Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries.

In first six months of 2020, numbers of South African rhis killed by poachers fell by more than 50% from previous year, to 166, according to official statistics from environment department.

“We realize that as country opens up, we need to up our game to dress possible threat of poaching,” Modise told Associated Press.

South Africa has about 20,000 rhis, estimated to be 80% of world's total population, and country has been hard hit by poachers killing animals for illegal international tre in rhi horns. Or countries with significant rhi populations are Kenya, Namibia and Zimbabwe.

“Although killings of rhis have reduced this year, this could be a temporary reprieve,” said Cathy Dean, chief executive of Save Rhi. “With ecomic downturn caused by coronavirus, and decline of tourism, many people are desperate and some may turn to poaching. With a resumption of international flights, we may again see seizures of illegal rhi horn, which indicates a resurgent tre.”

South Africa deploys anti-poaching squs throughout its parks to protect rhis, elephants and or game from poachers.

In KwaZulu-Natal province, a techlogically vanced “smart fence” is being built around Hluhluwe-iMfolozi park, which alerts park rangers when any intruder tries to sneak into park.

“ fence has electrics both inside and outside its length and any tampering or cutting of fence sends us an immediate mess, pinpointing location of tamper," musa Dube-Ncube, province's top official for tourism and environmental affairs, said in a statement.

"Two sections of fence have been upgred to date and we have alrey seen a shift in rhi poaching activity away from both areas,” said Dube-Ncube, thanking private organization Wildlife ACT for supporting fence.

“y have invested resources, technical support and channeling of dor funding to se key initiatives,” she said. “We are hopeful of decline in poaching losses.”