Yemen accused of responsibility for rhinoceros’s endangered status

Trading in rare animals and their products is the primary reason for endangered species today. Many animals are now endangered because they are used in traditional goods and products. Yemen and China are the principal countries accused of responsibility for the endangered status of the rhinoceros, because Yemenis use the rhinoceros horn to make their Dhjambia, and the Chinese use them in medicine. Addressing the trading of animals and their parts was the primary aim of a workshop held  Thursday November 13 in Sana’a. The workshop, which was organized by the General Authority to Protect the Environment (GAPE) and IFAW aimed at educating people about the dangers of trading in endangered species, and how it may affect the environment.  

CITES, an international contract between more than 160 countries, aims to organize the animal trade. According to Ahmed Mohammed a Program Officer at IFAW, “Since the beginning of time, mankind has hunted animals, but they could not hunt the every type of animal due to the conditions of the age. Nowadays, it is different- anyone can kill an animal and transfer it to another country. Therefore, it is now paramount that we pay attention to hunting and trading animals.” 

“Many think that CITES forbids the trading in animals, but it does not mean that.  There should be a balance between trading and maintaining wildlife, and that can only be achieved through CITES.  Nowadays, countries which feel their numbers of wild animals may be in danger are putting laws and strategies into place to control trading, so that, countries that import such commodities should have the relevant information regarding the countries exporting them.” The species covered by CITES are listed in three appendices, according to the degree of protection required.

CITES works by subjecting international trade in specimens of selected species to certain controls, according to Dr. Ahmed Mohammed Program Officer at IFAW. “When we talk about CITES, we do not talk about a new international contract. CITES has been in operation since 1975; it has been working for 32 years. Yemen signed CITES in 1997.”

All imports, exports, re-export and introductions of species covered by the Convention have to be authorized through a licensing system. Each party to the convention must designate one or more management authority to take charge of administering that licensing system and one or more scientific authority to provide advice on the effects of trade on the status of the species.

Dhjambia traders, who took part in the workshop said they had not received  rhinoceros horn since 1982, while concerned bodies like IFAW and CITES still point to Yemen as responsible for rhinoceros trafficking. “Over the last few years, a foreign team has visited Yemen to spy on traders. They used to visit the Souq everyday and wander through the Dhjambia shops,” said an angry trader, “do you think that we are stupid and did not know they were observing us. Why would you do such a thing when you know that Yemen has not imported any rhinoceros horn since 1982?”

Yemen and China are the main countries suspected of trafficking rhinoceros horn because they are the only countries which still use rhinoceros in products, answered Mohammed. “Yemen may not have imported rhinoceros horn for years as you have said, but as I told you, it remains one of two countries accused, so, even if the import has been suspended, there is still an underlying mistrust.” 

Mohammed said Yemenis may still have to account for rhinoceros’ horns from 1982, but recycling it today will mean that they will also be accused.    

“The over-exploitation of animals and plants in the name of trade has led to the extinction of some species and others are continuing to decline to the point of extinction if they are not protected by the cooperation of all segments of society,” said Mahmoud al-Shadioh Prime Environment Protection Authority (EPA).  

Al- Shadioh pointed out that the rhinoceros is endangered because they are being killed everyday to be used in some medicines in China and Dhjambias in Yemen. 

The EPA, in collaboration with other stakeholders is working to prevent the trade in rhinoceros horn in Yemen. Last year, in cooperation with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, a number of specialists in the Republic were trained to familiarize them with animal products which are prohibited from entering the country. The government is also spearheading efforts to encourage the use of garnet, which both contributes to the growth of this domestic industry and prevents the use of animal products. 

"The Yemeni government has passed many laws to protect animals, and prohibit the import of rhinoceros horns.  We hope that all people will work together in order to apply these laws,” said Al- Shadioh, pointing to the importance of publicizing the plight of the rhinoceros and encouraging the use of alternatives such as garnets in the Dhjambias industry to protect the rhino from extinction. 

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