Horn Although greatly reduced in number by settlers and sport hunters during the colonial era, the overwhelming cause of the rhino's decline during the past 50 years has been poaching. In the Far East, and in East Asian communities elsewhere, rhino horn is still prescribed as an ingredient in traditional remedies to reduce fever.
Rhino horn is also in demand in some Arab nations, where it is seen as a status symbol.
With increasing wealth from oil revenues, the demand for curved daggers with handles carved from rhino horn has risen over the years. Yemen and Oman remain important destinations for illegally obtained rhino horn. In addition to external demands, growing poverty in many African countries fuelled a vigorous trade in illegal wildlife products, particularly rhino horn and ivory. Newly independent African governments found themselves with growing human populations, diminishing financial resources, and an urgent need to place social development at the top of a long list of priorities. As a consequence, wildlife departments found themselves increasingly short of funds.