Hundreds in South Africa march for protection of rhinos and elephants

Demonstrators take a "selfie" with their smartphone and display the message "Let Live" on the palms of their hands as they take part in the "Global March for Elephants and Rhinos" to raise awareness for their plight, in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Organisers of the global march, which they hope will take place in over 100 cities across the world, say it is a collaboration between many wildlife conservation organisations aiming to save elephants and rhinos from extinction by poachers and call for a ban on the trade of ivory and rhino horn. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (The Associated Press)

Demonstrators show the message "Let Live" on the palms of their hands as they take part in the "Global March for Elephants and Rhinos" to raise awareness for their plight, in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Organisers of the global march, which they hope will take place in over 100 cities across the world, say it is a collaboration between many wildlife conservation organisations aiming to save elephants and rhinos from extinction by poachers and call for a ban on the trade of ivory and rhino horn. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (The Associated Press)

Demonstrators take part in the "Global March for Elephants and Rhinos" to raise awareness for their plight, in Nairobi, Kenya Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014. Organisers of the global march, which they hope will take place in over 100 cities across the world, say it is a collaboration between many wildlife conservation organisations aiming to save elephants and rhinos from extinction by poachers and call for a ban on the trade of ivory and rhino horn. (AP Photo/Ben Curtis) (The Associated Press)

Hundreds marched through Johannesburg Saturday to call for the protection of rhinos and elephants, part of demonstrations for World Wildife Day in 136 cities around the world.

The march through Johannesburg's downtown was to press governments to end international wildlife trafficking. Africa's elephant and rhino populations have dwindled as the global demand for ivory has increased, especially in China and Vietnam where trade in ivory is legal.

Ahead of the march, activists delivered letters to embassies of these and other countries implicated in trafficking, demanding stricter laws against wildlife poaching.

The Johannesburg march also included a call to end captive lion hunting, while the Paris march called for the protection of tigers. Similar protests took place in Nairobi, where hundreds of Kenyans marched for increased protection of the country's wildlife.