To Protect Rhinos, This National Park Just Shoots People (50 Poachers Killed So Far)

The number of rhinos that have been poached over the last many years is staggeringly high. There is a misconception, especially in Asia, of rhino having aphrodisiac properties and these majestic animals are tragically poached for their horns. Rhinos, the most beautiful animals, are dwindling worldwide and unless serious action is taken, the rhino will be extinct.

In India, in the Kazaringa National Park, desperate times call for desperate measures. Park Rangers have been ordered to ‘shoot poachers on sight’ and so far, 50 poachers have been killed. It’s a controversial move but it seems to be a move that is working. Poaching in the Kazaringa National Park has not been stopped but the figures are certainly lower than in the past.

The ‘shoot to kill’ orders are difficult ones. The park rangers will always issue a warning first. They will ask the poachers to drop their weapons and will try and catch them, rather than shoot them. But if the poacher fights back, they’re killed.

The villagers from the Kazaringa National Park are in a desperate situation too. They love the rhino and understand the value, but when their loved ones are ‘shot for poaching’, sometimes by mistake, it can be tricky. Mistakes have been made, not many, but one mistake is one mistake too many.

A rhino horn can be sold for as much as USD 6000, for just 100 grams. This is more expensive than gold. The rhinos get poached in Africa and India and then make their way, illegally of course, to Asia, where the horn is ground down and sold for a small fortune as an aphrodisiac.

The only way to stop poaching is ultimately to educate people that the horn has no magical powers, but until that happens - shoot to kill orders may be the only solution.