There are five species of rhinoceros in the world. They live in Africa and in Asia. Rhinos are a type of pachyderm along with elephants and hippopotamuses. They are herbivores that only eat plants. Rhinos have a very recognisable horn that is used to defend their territory and protect their babies.

People try to kill rhinos illegally because they believe the horn is valuable. This is called poaching. Some people in China use it because ancient scripts say it is good medicine. In Vietnam, people buy them illegally because it is a symbol of wealth. The only way to purchase a rhino horn is in the black market. The black market is where people buy and sell illegal products.

Poaching is more common than you think. Usually there are between 10 and 20 attempts a month, according to our safari guide who works in anti-poaching efforts.

The people who attempt to poach the rhinos and other creatures typically enter the National Park in the middle of the night.  Poaching attempts occur most often around the full moon because there is more natural light. There are three people who work together in the poaching attempt. One that shoots the rhino, another who cuts the horn and passes it to the third person who is the runner. He bolts off with the horn. Everyone is on his own after that. 

Some of them try to confuse the park rangers by cutting out the sole of their shoe and putting it in a different direction so the rangers will go off track.

The people who poach the rhinos do it because they are often very very poor and it will make them a killing if they succeed.

Poaching is bad not just for the species of animal but it also makes the government very corrupt.

People are trying to prevent poaching by putting in shot detectors to know when the poachers try to shoot the rhino. Another way to is to catch them by lying in ambush so no one can see them.