Save Rhinos
Save the Rhinos because 3 out of the 5 remaining species face extinction.
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100 years ago there were 500 000 Rhinos. Do you know how many are left now?
What do you think of when you hear the word “Rhino”? Its horn or the plains of Africa? As early as the beginning of the 20th century, there were about 500 000 Rhinos worldwide. By 1970, their number had dropped to 70 000, and now there are only about 27 000 left in the wild - a drop of more than 94 % in just 100 years. Most of the remaining Rhinos live in protected parks and reserves. In ancient times, these herbivorous giants roamed throughout Europe, with evidence left in the form of cave paintings from the Early Stone Age. Rhinos became extinct on the American continent about 5 million years ago. Today, you will only find Rhinos in a few areas in Africa and Asia (not counting Zoos).
Distribution of Rhino. Source: viaGood
In Africa, there are two representatives of this odd-toed ungulate - White and Black Rhino. In Asia, there are three - Greater One-Horned Rhino (or Indian), Sumatran and Javan Rhino. Three of these five species are critically endangered.
White rhino in Etosha National Park. Source: Wikipedia
- White Rhino or Square-lipped Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) With about 16 803 individuals, this is the most numerous member of the Rhinoceros family and, thanks to its size, it is also the second largest land mammal after the Elephant. It measures 11.2 to 13.1 ft, plus an additional 28 inches of tail, and weighs up to 5 070 lb.
There are two subspecies - Northern and Southern. At present, the Northern subspecies is declared functionally extinct. The last male, Sudan, died in 2018, and at the beginning of 2021, the last two females remain. They live in the Ol Pejeta Reserve in Kenya and are constantly protected by armed rangers. However, scientists still hope to save the subspecies thanks to artificial insemination.
The Southern subspecies thrives much better, even though it itself faced extinction. At the end of the 19th century, the Southern species was thought to have become extinct. In 1895, however, a small population of fewer than 100 individuals was discovered in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. After more than 100 years of protection, the Southern subspecies is the only one classified as almost endangered, numbering approx. 16 803 individuals. Most Southern White Rhinos (about 98.8 %) occur in only four countries - South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Kenya.
Black Rhinoceros at Gemsbokvlakte. Source: Wikipedia
- Black Rhino (Diceros bicornis) The second and smaller African species is the Black Rhino. Like the White Rhinoceros, this species faced extinction when, from 1960 to 1995, their number dropped by 98 % to less than 2 500 individuals. Only thanks to efforts to preserve the species, has its population been stabilized. According to the latest research and data, the number of Black Rhinos worldwide is more than 6,487. They are found mostly in national reserves and parks in a few areas of Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, Zambia and parts of South Africa.
A grazing Indian rhinoceros in Kaziranga National Park. Source: Wikipedia
- The Greater One-horned Rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) The largest representative of Asian Rhinos is the Indian Rhino. It reaches a length of 10 - 12.5 ft and a height of 5.75 - 6.5 ft. Its typical feature is its "armor" and single horn. Hence its Latin name "Rhinoceros unicornis". The horn reaches a length of 8 in - 24 in. Although this is the largest representative of Asian Rhinos, it is classified as vulnerable according to the IUCN. The horn, to which is attributed the power of aphrodisiacs in India, has become almost fatal to this animal, as has the development of agriculture. At the beginning of the 20th century, their number was less than 100 individuals. It is only due to huge efforts to save this Rhino, that numbers have increased. Despite the original abundance throughout the Indian subcontinent, they now live in small fragmented groups on the southern side of the Himalayas, in Northern India, Nepal and Bhutan. They were also recently seen in Pakistan and Bangladesh.
Sumatran Rhino in Sanctuary. Source: Wikipedia
- Sumatran Rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) With a length of 6.5 - 9.5 feet and a height of 3 - 5 feet, this is the smallest representative of Rhinos in the world. It is also the only Asian Rhino which has two horns. In the past, Sumatran Rhino roamed the foothills of the Himalayas in Bhutan and Eastern India through Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and China, and south through the Malay Peninsula. Today, the species survives only in small fragmented areas on the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Borneo, where it is under constant surveillance. Due to poaching, its population has decreased by 70 % in the last 20 years and now numbers 34 - 47 individuals.
Captive Javan rhino, around 1900. Source: Wikipedia
- Javan Rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) With only the last 76 individuals, this is the rarest Rhino in the world. They once lived throughout Northeast India and Southeast Asia. In Vietnam, the last Javan Rhino was shot in 2010. It now occurs only in the Indonesian Ujung Kulon National Park in West Java. Thanks to the constant supervision of the Rhino Protection Units, not a single Rhino has been killed by poachers since the 1920s. This species reaches a length of 6 - 11.5 feet and a height of 5 - 5.5 feet.
Rhino size comparison. Source: viaGood
Over 470 000 Rhinos were killed during the 20th century by hunters!
The biggest threat to Rhinos is poaching and the Rhino horn trade. Although the horn consists predominantly of keratin (like human hair and nails), Asian Medicine attributes healing powers to it. In India, some believe that Rhino horn has aphrodisiac effects. However, no healing properties of the horn have ever been confirmed!
Rhino products also indicate social status and wealth in some cultures.
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Habitat loss and Fragmentation Economic development and population growth are the main pressures to occupy increasing areas that have always been home to Rhinos. Gradual "cutting down" of the vegetation and transformation into pastures, fields, roads and new built-up areas reduce the habitats of Rhinos. Rhinos must share living space and food with other animals.
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Conflict with Locals Due to the expansion of the population and the occupation of an ever-increasing area of wilderness, there are increasing conflicts between Rhinos and humans. Unfortunately, very often, these have fatal consequences for Rhinos.
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Diseases and Inbreeding In isolated areas, Rhinos are prone to inbreeding, because healthy genetic mixing is more difficult or virtually impossible in smaller groups. Due to the population limited to one protected area, A llee effects can occur, when breeding is suppressed due to a lack of sources, and diseases can spread rapidly through these highly concentrated populations.
What can be done to save the Rhinos?
Saving Rhinos should start in the poorest areas. Help where it counts the most.
There are various ways to help Rhinos, such as volunteering, “adopting” a Rhino, or not buying any Rhino products to stop illegal trade. What else can you do?
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Combat Poaching Nearly 10 000 Rhinos have been killed by poachers in the last decade! The anti-poaching patrols combat them in the first line. They actively monitor the defined area to stop or reduce illegal hunting. During patrols, they also monitor Rhino populations and collect important data on the behavior of these giants. Thanks to their work, other animals that live in protected reserves are also safe.
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Support the Establishment of Protected Areas Protected areas provide Rhinos and other animals with the necessary living space, free from the risk of unnecessary conflicts with humans.
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Support the Relocation of Rhinos For the expansion of populations, it is important to move Rhinos from parks with significant populations to others, where Rhinos have historically been, but are currently no longer present. At the same time, genetic variability is achieved by the relocation.
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Support Monitoring and Education Although Rhinos were thus named in the 14th century, we still do not know everything about them. There are still new fascinating facts that experts are coming up with and that are helping to protect and restore the Rhino population. Modern surveillance equipment serves as one of the protective measures against poachers.
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Support Ecotourism Positive experiences of tourism based on wildlife observation provide reserves with the financial resources needed to protect the Rhinos. Ecotourism also raises awareness of this endangered species and, in addition, provides additional employment opportunities and improves the economy for local communities, so that they do not have to resort to poaching.
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Motivate Legislation and Bans on Illegal Trade An important role is played by collaboration with governmental and non-governmental organizations around the world. This comprises mainly the promotion of stricter measures to combat the trade in Rhino horn and also stricter fines for trading in Rhino products.
