Rhino horn demand in Vietnam drops by 33% in one year. After a year-long public information campaign in Vietnam, only 2.6% of people in the Asian country now continue to buy and use rhino horn, a decrease of 38%. Importantly, there has been a 25% decrease in the number of people who think rhino horn, which is made of the same material as fingernails and hair, has medicinal value. However, 38% of Vietnamese still think it can treat diseases such as cancer and rheumatism. The polling was conducted by Nielsen for the Humane Society International (HSI) and the Vietnam Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). Teresa Telecky, director of wildlife at HSI, said it is crucial to reduce demand for rhino horn. “These poll results demonstrate that, even in a relatively short period of time, our demand reduction campaign has succeeded in significantly and dramatically altering public perception and influenced behaviour,” she said. “The results offer a vital ray of hope for the survival of rhinos.” Do Quang Tung, director of the Vietnam CITES management authority, said: “The demand for rhino horns by just a small proportion of people in Vietnam has not only damaged the position of Vietnam in international forums but also leveraged the poaching of rhinos.” Now we need the killing to STOP! theguardian/environment/2014/oct/16/rhino-horn-demand-in-vietnam-drops-by-more-than-33-in-one-year
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 05:44:47 +0000