Our rhinos headed toward extinction. Poachers in South Africa illegally killed a record number of rhinos. Last year was a record-breaking year for rhinoceroses, but not in a good way. In 2013, a total of 1,000-four rhinos were poached or illegally hunted in South Africa. The country where almost all of the world's rhinos live. That's an increase of more than 50% from 2012 when 668 rhinos were killed, according to the country's Department of Environmental Affairs. It was also the most South African rhinos killed in one year. The world's rhinos are facing a genuine crisis, says Dr. Naomi Doak of Traffic, a conservation group that works to stop the trafficking or buying and selling of wildlife. The rise in poaching is due to an increased, increasing demand for rhino horns in Asian countries, such as Vietnam and China, where the horns are used as key ingredients in traditional Asian medicines. Some people believe taking powdered rhino horn can help treat pain, fevers, and cancer, though these uses have not been medically proven to be effective. The demand is so great that rhino horns can sell for more than $30,000 a pound in Asia. Rhinos in danger Poaching has already had dire consequences for rhinos. A subspecies of black rhino, the Western black rhino, became extinct in the last decade. The Javan rhinoceros has almost completely disappeared from Vietnam, with fewer than 50 remaining. Now, African black rhinos and white rhinos are facing disaster. The black rhino, also called the hook-lipped rhinoceros, is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Fewer than 5,000 exist. White rhinos are considered near threatened, with only an estimated 20,150 in the wild. Protecting rhinos Many nations are now taking steps to protect rhinos. The governments of several countries, including Vietnam and Mozambique, have signed agreements to combat rhino poaching by making the sale of rhino horns illegal, arresting poachers and smugglers, and increasing public awareness about the issue. South Africa has signed agreements with Vietnam and China to fight wildlife trafficking between the countries. It is developing similar agreements with Mozambique, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Hong Kong. Conservation groups feel that more it needs to be done, however, especially in South Africa and boarding Mozambique. Poachers and smugglers use Mozambique as a passage into and out of South Africa. During the past month alone, about 40 rhinos have been poached in South Africa. South Africa and Mozambique must up their game if they hope to stop this robbery of southern Africa's natural heritage, says Tom Malikin, traffic's rhino expert. Rhinohorn trafficking represents a threat to the very fabric of society. Here are some important vocabulary terms that were highlighted in this article. Poached means killed illegally. Crisis means a time of terrible danger. Trafficking means the illegal buying and selling, this in this case of animals. Conservation means protection. As you reread this article, I'd like for you to think about why the author wrote it. I'd like for you to think about what exactly the author's opinion about protecting rhinos and rhino poaching is. What does the author think? Try not to get confused with how you feel about this issue, but how does the author feel? As you read this article again, try to think about those things.