Rhino poaching numbers are harrowing. Over a five-year period, 5476 rhinos were killed in South Africa alone. For the most part, the dwindling species are only able to survive inside parks and reserves. But even then they aren’t safe. To help conservation and spread awareness, World Rhino Day was initiated eight years ago. To mark the day, we are republishing the best-read articles on various aspects of the crisis.

In the first, Keith Somerville looks at why poaching networks and smuggling rings persist as well as why the first online horn auction had limited success. For her part Annette Hübschle explains why the fight against poaching must shift to empowering communities while Jason Gilchrist addresses the issue of consumer demand in Asia and how it can be changed.

In other news South Africa’s Constitutional Court ruled that it’s legal for adults to cultivate and possess cannabis in private for personal consumption. The country’s parliament now has 24 months to bring the relevant laws into line with the judgment. Mary Nel says the ruling is welcome because it ditches outdated approaches to pot.

At a different tempo, Kenyan runner, Eluid Kipchoge, came close to being the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours. This rekindled questions about just how low the marathon record can go. Michael Joyner unpacks the possibilities.