The poaching of rhino has risen dramatically as the influence of Asia has increased in Africa. Poaching has sky rocketed since 2008, and South Africa in particular has borne the brunt, with up to a thousand rhinos a year being slaughtered in certain years.

It is suspected that the primary market for rhino products can be found in Vietnam and China, where huge sums of money exchange hands for just 1 kg of horn, which is seen there as a cure for cancer and other illnesses. Rhino horn, however, is made entirely of keratin – the same material as human nails – which means patients chewing on their own fingernails has exactly the same effect as consuming rhino horn.