So, if you want rhino horn - feel free to bite your nails!

Conservation Status

South Africa is home to about 80% of the world's rhino population.

At the beginning of 2011, the world population of rhino was about 20 000 white rhino and about 4 800 black rhino. South Africa had about 18 700 white rhino and 1 900 black rhino.

The biggest threat to rhino is poaching for their horns, which some cultures believe have medicinal value. The horns are also used for dagger handles.

Over 400 rhino were poached in 2011 alone.

The white rhino is the only species of rhino that is not critically endangered.

The black rhino is listed as Critically Endangered on the 2011 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the white rhino is listed as Near Threatened.

The Wilderness Foundation's Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative is concerned with maintaining populations of free-ranging rhino within state and privately-managed conservation areas.

The campaign supports conservation agencies and organised private game reserves to protect their rhino populations as part of functioning natural ecosystems.

The campaign also aims to encourage politicians and decision makers to apply pressure nationally and internationally to address illegal trade in rhino horn and other wildlife products.

Buy iThemba direct from the Wilderness foundation

For more information, log on to www.wildernessfoundation.co.za .

Thank you for your support!