By Sh.Dr. Muhammad Ridwaan Gallant (Muslim Judicial Council Environmental Desk)

In 1970 Africa had a population of 65 000 black rhinos. Rampant poaching reduced their recent numbers to just over 3000 by 2012. In South Africa alone, where roughly 70% of all remaining rhinos are to be found, more than 1,200 rhinos have been killed by poachers since 2007, and the killing is accelerating.

South Africa has lost over 251 rhinos from January to June 2012 alone due to illegal hunting according to the department of environmental affairs. That’s 251 rhinos killed in only 172 days!

Of the 251, 149 were massacred in the famed Kruger National Park. Limpopo province suffered 34 rhino killings, while the North West lost 24 and KwaZulu-Natal, 25. In Mpumalanga 8 rhinos were illegally hunted. The Eastern Cape lost 3 and the Western Cape lost 1.

So far, 170 people have been arrested for rhino crimes. According to the South African National Parks (SANParks), of the 170 arrests made, 147 of the arrested were poachers, 10 receivers or couriers, six couriers or buyers and seven exporters.

Demand for rhino horn in the Far East has escalated in recent years to the point that a kilo of powdered horn is now reported to be selling for as much as US$65,000 on the black markets in Vietnam and China.

Rhino horn is now worth more by weight than gold, cocaine or heroin.

Legal dehorning has been recognised by some reserves and farmers as a potential deterrent to poachers. Once immobilized by a wildlife vet, the horns are removed humanely above the rootline, which enables the horn to grow back naturally at a rate of approximately 1kg per year. This procedure and its requirements are regulated by the Biodiversity Act and a permit must be obtained to conduct the procedure.

 

Islamic Response to Rhino poaching

The animals have a right to share earth with humankind. According to the Quran: “There is not an animal (that lives) on earth, nor a being that flies on its wings, but (forms part of) communities like you” (Quran 6:38). The fact that animals are a “community” like human beings means that we cannot take away their Haqq (right) given to them by Allah (TA).

It is the duty of humankind to protect the animals.  Animal abuse should be prevented. The Prophet (SAW) clearly forbade beating (animals) on the face (Bukhari).

Any killing of animals without justification in Islam is not allowed even if the victims are animals as small as insects.  Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “No human being kills a sparrow or [something] larger, without right, except that Allah will ask him about it (hold him responsible!) on the Day of Judgment.” It was asked: O Prophet of Allah! What is its right? He (SAW) said: ” Its right is that you slaughter it and eat it, you do not kill it and throw it away“( Nasai).  In another hadeeth, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “If you kill a sparrow senselessly, it will hasten to Allah on the Day of Judgment saying: O Rabb! so and so killed me for play and not for use!” ( Nasai).

Rhinos play an important role in the ecosystems they traditionally inhabit.  Killing them and driving them to extinction will cause an imbalance in nature. They have a right to live. Allah (TA) created them for a certain purpose and we as humanity should protect them and do our utmost to fulfil this objective.

Sources:

Saving Rhinos LLC  http://www.rhinoconservation.org (http://s.tt/1fozu)

Department of Environmental Affairs http://www.buanews.gov.za/news/12/12062010351001

Daily News  http://www.iol.co.za/dailynews/news/over-200-rhinos-poached-this-year-in-sa-1.1305840