Chinese National Jailed 18 Years in Zimbabwe as Rhino Crisis Deepens

By Ayesha Nyanzunda, Harare – September 12, 2025

A Harare magistrate has sentenced a Chinese national to 18 years in prison after he was convicted of trafficking rhinoceros horns and ivory, in what authorities described as one of the toughest rulings yet against wildlife crime in Zimbabwe.

Fifty-seven-year-old Cong Yanzhong was arrested in July carrying three shrink-wrapped rhino horns weighing 7.7 kilograms, with a black-market value of about USD 240,000. A search of his home later uncovered more than 36 kilograms of raw ivory.

Prosecutors hailed the sentence as a strong warning to traffickers who exploit Zimbabwe’s wildlife for profit. “This sentencing sends a strong message that Zimbabwe has zero tolerance for wildlife crime,” the National Prosecuting Authority said in a statement.

Statement by the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe.

A Fragile Population

The ruling comes at a time when Zimbabwe’s rhino population remains perilously low. Conservation groups estimate the country has just over 1,000 rhinos—around 616 black rhinos and 417 white rhinos. Each loss is significant for species that were nearly wiped out in previous decades.

Poaching continues to be a serious threat. Official data show that 11 rhinos were killed in Zimbabwe in 2022 alone, with incidents reported in Matobo National Park and Save Valley Conservancy. Conservationists warn that poaching has spiked again in Matobo this year, erasing gains made during years of tighter surveillance.

By contrast, some regions have reported progress. The Lowveld conservancies recorded no rhino poaching losses in 2023—the first time in more than 20 years—thanks to heavy investment in intelligence and ranger patrols. The uneven picture underscores how fragile the fight against poaching remains.

Communities on the Frontline

For communities living near Zimbabwe’s national parks, poaching is not just an environmental concern but a direct economic threat. Wildlife tourism is a key source of income, and the disappearance of iconic species like elephants and rhinos risks undermining rural livelihoods.

“We grew up seeing elephants roaming free and hearing stories of rhinos as symbols of strength. To think someone would reduce that to dollars and kilograms—it’s heartbreaking,” said a villager from Hwange.

A Global Market

Rhino horn remains highly prized in some Asian markets, where it is used in traditional medicine and as a status symbol. Ivory is carved into ornaments and jewelry. Conservationists argue that without reducing global demand, African states like Zimbabwe will continue to face an uphill battle, no matter how strict their laws become.

Zimbabwe’s Stand

Zimbabwe’s Parks and Wildlife Act already prescribes mandatory minimum sentences of nine years for crimes involving protected species. Thursday’s ruling, nearly double that minimum, reflects the state’s resolve to clamp down harder.

Still, experts caution that harsh sentences alone will not save the country’s wildlife. Sustained funding for anti-poaching units, intelligence networks, and regional cooperation will be essential to protect rhinos from extinction.

As the court handed down its sentence, it was not only a trafficker who stood condemned, but also the shadow industry that thrives on killing endangered animals. For Zimbabwe, the message was clear: the survival of its rhinos is non-negotiable.