The consumption of rhino horns in Vietnam fell 38% over the past year thanks to international support in driving down the trafficking of this product for mislead purposes, Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) showed. Only 2.6% of people in the Southeast Asian country now continue to buy and use rhino horns after a year-long public information campaign conducted by the Vietnamese government and Humane Society International (HSI), CITES Management Authority said in a report publicized on Oct 16. Polls conducted by Nielsen under the support of CITES and HSI showed that the number of people who think rhino horn has medicinal value decreased by 25% but 38% of Vietnamese still think it can treat diseases such as cancer and rheumatism. The multi-faceted marketing campaign was conducted in six big cities namely Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Danang, Can Tho, and Nha Trang. Vietnam was a key market for the trade of rhino horns, which prompted the awareness campaign to try to deter people from buying and consuming it. Demand for rhino horn, primarily in China and South-east Asia, is putting severe pressure on rhino numbers in Africa. Last year a record 1,004 rhinos were illegally poached in South Africa. A key reason for this is the soaring price of rhino horn: it can reach $100,000 a kilogram on the black market, rivaling the price of cocaine and gold. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung earlier this year ordered all ministries and government agencies to enhance steps against poaching and trafficking of African elephant ivory and rhino horns. Under Vietnam law, anyone found guilty of wildlife smuggling may face a prison sentence of up to seven years. (Nong Thon Ngay Nay – Today Countryside Oct 17 p2, www.theguardian.com [1] Oct 16)
