Ceratotherium simum simum (Annex B) (Southern White Rhinoceros)

Criteria met:  High volume (globally threatened)

Principal trade term to the EU:  trophies

Principal source:  wild

Top EU importer:  Spain, Poland

Top Trading Partner:  South Africa

CITES Appendix:  II

IUCN Status:  Near Threatened

EU imports of wild-sourced (includes source ‘W’ and source unspecified) Annex B Ceratotherium simum simum trophies and trophy items (bodies, bones, feet, horns, skins, skin pieces, skulls and tails), purposes ‘H’, ‘P’ and purpose unspecified, 2002-2011.

In 2011, EU imports of Annex B populations consisted primarily of wild-sourced hunting trophies and trophy items, comprising 22 trophies, 18 horns, 16 feet, two skins, three skin pieces, two skulls and one tail. Two of the trophies, four feet, the skin pieces and tail were reported without a source or purpose code. All EU imports in 2011 originated in South Africa. The number of trophy items combined (64 trophy items) in 2011 reached the second highest level over the ten year period 2002-2011. Wild-sourced (including source unspecified) trade in trophy items that can easily be equated to individuals (trophies, horns, feet, skins and tails) equated to approximately 49 individuals. A permit analysis revealed that five trophy items were imported on the same permit as other items, potentially reducing the number of animals involved to 44. This represents a four-fold increase relative to 2010 (11 individuals). Trade in C. simum simum is closely monitored through the CITES process following Decisions 16.84 to 16.92.