Rhinoceros are under extreme pressure from poachers (irrespective of where they are based- poaching has even occurred in zoos) who get enormous dollops of money for their horn (used in Chinese 'medicine'). They appear to be one of the beneficiaries of the Covid-19 lockdown, as poaching in South Africa is said to be down to less than half its usual level in the first 6 months of 2020 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/aug/01/south-african-rhino-poaching-halves-in-six-months-thanks-to-covid-19-lockdown). It is suggested that the fall is related to travel restrictions, including the disruption of international flights. A word of warning. Monitoring and protecting of animals is also much reduced in places at this time, so recording of poaching events may be less accurate. The poachers may also be concentrating on rhinos in locations that are easier to access (and to smuggle their 'spoils' from) than South African safari parks.
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