白犀虐殺

Kim Willsher “Rhino shot dead by poachers at French zoo” https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/07/rhino-shot-dead-by-poachers-at-french-zoo


先日エル・サルバドルの動物園で河馬が虐殺されるという事件があったのだが*1、今度は白犀*2
仏蘭西巴里郊外のThoiry動物園*3で、3月17日、4歳の白犀Vinceが射殺されているのが発見された*4。その角はチェーンソーで切り取られていた。動物園には白犀があと2頭いるが、こちらの方は無事だった。


A rhinoceros horn has an estimated value of between €30,000 and €40,000. Detectives say there is an established trade network in illegally poached horn between France and Asia.

“The theft of rhinoceros horns are rising across Europe, but it’s the first time an animal park has suffered an attack leading to the death of a rhinoceros,” the zoo said.


The white rhino is an endangered species, with an estimated 21,000 remaining in the wild across the world, mainly in South Africa and Uganda. Their horns are sought after in Asia, where they are valued for their supposed aphrodisiac qualities.

In Zimbabwe last autumn, the authorities announced they would remove the horns of 700 adult rhinoceros to dissuade attacks from poachers.