Today is world "save the Rhino" day-- Rhino: what you need to know
World save the Rhinoceros day
A rhinoceros. In Greek rhinokerลs, meaning 'nose-horned', commonly abbreviated to rhino, an ungulates in the family Rhinocerotidae. Two of the extant species are native to Africa and three to Southern Asia.
Basic Taxonomical classification of rhinoceros
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Perissodactyla
Superfamily:Rhinocerotoidea
Family:Rhinocerotidae
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Perissodactyla
Superfamily:Rhinocerotoidea
Family:Rhinocerotidae
Extant genera (living genus)
Ceratotherium
Dicerorhinus
Diceros
Rhinoceros
Ceratotherium
Dicerorhinus
Diceros
Rhinoceros
All species of rhinoceros can reach or exceed one tonne in weight. They are herbivorous in diet, one or two horns, and a thick (1.55 cm) protective skin formed from layers of collagen positioned in a lattice structure.
They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter when necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls(odd toed animals), the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their lips to pluck food.
They generally eat leafy material, although their ability to ferment food in their hindgut allows them to subsist on more fibrous plant matter when necessary. Unlike other perissodactyls(odd toed animals), the two African species of rhinoceros lack teeth at the front of their mouths, relying instead on their lips to pluck food.
Rhinoceros are killed by some humans for their horns, which are bought and sold on the black market, and used by some cultures for ornaments or traditional medicine. East Asia, specifically Vietnam, is the largest market for rhino horns. By weight, rhino horns cost as much as gold on the black market. People grind up the horns and consume them, believing the dust has therapeutic properties. The horns are made of keratin, the same type of protein that makes up hair and fingernails. Both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn.
Species of rhino
Sumatran Rhino
Description
The Sumatran rhino has been on earth longer than any other living mammal
Weight
500 - 960 kg
Population
<80
Current range
Sumatra (Indonesia) and Sabah (Malaysia)
Habitat
Dense highland and lowland tropical and sub-tropical forests
Scientific name
Dicerorhinus sumatrensis
Javan Rhino
Description
The Javan rhino is possibly the rarest large mammal on earth
Weight
900 - 2,300 kg
Population
69
Current range
Java (Indonesia)
Habitat
Tropical and Subtropical Moist Broadleaf Forests
Scientific name
Rhinoceros sondaicus
Black Rhino
Description
Black rhinos are the smaller of the two African species
Weight
900 - 1,350 kg
Population
Between 5,366 and 5,627
Current range
Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Malawi
Habitat
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands; Deserts and Xeric Shrublands
Scientific name
Diceros bicornis
Greater One-Horned Rhino
Description
Greater one-horned rhinos are semi-aquatic and often take up residence in swamps, forests and riversides
Weight
1,800 - 2,500 kg
Population
3,550
Current range
India and Nepal
Habitat
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, and Shrublands
Scientific name
Rhinoceros unicornis
White Rhino
Description
Also known as the Square-lipped rhino, White rhinos are 'mowing-machines'!
Weight
1,800 - 2,500 kg
Population
Between 17,212 and 18,915
Current range
South Africa, Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda
Habitat
Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas and Shrublands
Scientific name
Ceratotherium simum
Predators, poaching and hunting
Sources:LinkedIn
Adult rhinoceros have no real predators in the wild, other than humans. Young rhinos can however fall prey to big cats, crocodiles, African wild dogs, and hyenas.
Although rhinos are large and have a reputation for being tough, they are very easily poached; they visit water holes daily and can be easily killed while they drink. As of December 2009, poaching increased globally while efforts to protect the rhino are considered increasingly ineffective. The most serious estimate, that only 3% of poachers are successfully countered, is reported of Zimbabwe, while Nepal has largely avoided the crisis. Poachers have become more sophisticated. South African officials have called for urgent action against poaching after poachers killed the last female rhino in the Krugersdorp Game Reserve near Johannesburg. Statistics from South African National Parks show that 333 rhinoceros were killed in South Africa in 2010, increasing to 668 by 2012, in 2013 and over 1,338 killed in 2015. In some cases rhinos are drugged and their horns removed, while in other instances more than the horn is taken.
The Namibian government has supported the practice of rhino trophy hunting as a way to raise money for conservation. Hunting licenses for five Namibian Black rhinos are auctioned annually, with the money going to the government's Game Products Trust Fund. Some conservationists and members of the public however oppose or question this practice.
Horn trade and use
International trade in rhinoceros horn has been declared illegal by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1977. A proposal by Swaziland to lift the international ban was rejected in October 2016.[52] Domestic sale of rhinoceros horn in South Africa, home of 80% of the remaining rhino population, was banned as of 2009. However, that ban was overturned in a court case in 2017, and South Africa plans to draft regulations for the sale of rhino horn, possibly including export for "non-commercial purposes". The South African government has suggested that a legal trade of rhino horn be established, arguing that this could reduce poaching and prevent the extinction of this species.
Rhinoceros horns, unlike those of other horned mammals, (which have a bony core), only consist of keratin, similar to human hair and nails. Rhinoceros horns are used in traditional medicines in parts of Asia, and for dagger handles in Yemen and Oman. Esmond Bradley Martin has reported on the trade for dagger handles in Yemen. In Europe, it was historically believed that rhino horns could purify water and could detect poisoned liquids, and likely as an aphrodisiac and an antidote to poison.
International trade in rhinoceros horn has been declared illegal by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) since 1977. A proposal by Swaziland to lift the international ban was rejected in October 2016.[52] Domestic sale of rhinoceros horn in South Africa, home of 80% of the remaining rhino population, was banned as of 2009. However, that ban was overturned in a court case in 2017, and South Africa plans to draft regulations for the sale of rhino horn, possibly including export for "non-commercial purposes". The South African government has suggested that a legal trade of rhino horn be established, arguing that this could reduce poaching and prevent the extinction of this species.
Rhinoceros horns, unlike those of other horned mammals, (which have a bony core), only consist of keratin, similar to human hair and nails. Rhinoceros horns are used in traditional medicines in parts of Asia, and for dagger handles in Yemen and Oman. Esmond Bradley Martin has reported on the trade for dagger handles in Yemen. In Europe, it was historically believed that rhino horns could purify water and could detect poisoned liquids, and likely as an aphrodisiac and an antidote to poison.
Sadly, Vietnamese are currently the biggest consumers of rhino horn, and their demand drives most of the poaching, which has risen to record levels. The "Vietnam CITES Management Authority" has claimed that Hanoi recently experienced a 77% drop in the usage of rhino horn, but National Geographic has challenged these claims, noticing that there was no rise in the numbers of criminals who were apprehended or prosecuted. South African rhino poaching's main destination market is Vietnam. An average sized horn can bring in as much as a quarter of a million dollars in Vietnam and many rhino range states have stockpiles of rhino horn.
Also it is a common misconception that rhinoceros horn in powdered form is used as an aphrodisiac or a cure for cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Moves to To prevent poaching
Horn removal-- In certain areas, rhinos have been tranquillized and their horns removed. Armed park rangers, particularly in South Africa, are also working on the front lines to combat poaching, sometimes killing poachers who are caught in the act.
Also it is a common misconception that rhinoceros horn in powdered form is used as an aphrodisiac or a cure for cancer in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Moves to To prevent poaching
Horn removal-- In certain areas, rhinos have been tranquillized and their horns removed. Armed park rangers, particularly in South Africa, are also working on the front lines to combat poaching, sometimes killing poachers who are caught in the act.
Use of Dye
Because of the fibrous nature of rhino horn, the pressurized dye infuses the interior of the horn but does not color the surface or affect rhino behavior. The original idea grew out of research into the horn as a reservoir for one-time tick treatments, and experts selected an acaricide they think is safe for the rhino, oxpeckers, vultures, and other animals in the preserve's ecosystem. Proponents claim that the dye cannot be removed from the horns, and remains visible on x-ray scanners even when the horn is ground to a fine powder.
The UK charity organization Save the Rhino has criticized horn poisoning on moral and practical grounds. The organization questions the assumptions that the infusion technique works as intended, and that even if the poison were effective, whether middlemen in a lucrative, illegal trade would care much about the effect it would have on buyers on another continent. They also claim that poisoned horns could heighten demand for non-poisoned horns among wealthier buyers or could fuel the belief in magical properties of the horn if people survive the poisoning.
Additionally, rhino horn is increasingly purchased for decorative use, rather than for use in traditional medicine. Save the Rhino questions the feasibility of applying the technique to all African rhinos, since workers would have to reapply the acaricide every 4 years. It was also reported that one out of 150 rhinos treated did not survive the anesthesia.
Use of subtle alternative for Rhino horn
Another way to undercut the rhinoceros horn market has been suggested by Matthew Markus of Pembient, a biotechnology firm. He proposes the synthesis of an artificial substitute for rhinoceros horn. To enable authorities to distinguish the bioengineered horn from real rhinoceros horn, the genetic code of the bioengineered horn could be registered, similar to the DNA of living rhinoceros in the RhODIS (Rhino DNA Index System). Initial responses from many conservationists were negative, but a 2016 report from TRAFFICwhich monitors trade in wildlife and animal partsconceded that it ...would be rash to rule out the possibility that trade in synthetic rhinoceros horn could play a role in future conservation strategies.
Because of the fibrous nature of rhino horn, the pressurized dye infuses the interior of the horn but does not color the surface or affect rhino behavior. The original idea grew out of research into the horn as a reservoir for one-time tick treatments, and experts selected an acaricide they think is safe for the rhino, oxpeckers, vultures, and other animals in the preserve's ecosystem. Proponents claim that the dye cannot be removed from the horns, and remains visible on x-ray scanners even when the horn is ground to a fine powder.
The UK charity organization Save the Rhino has criticized horn poisoning on moral and practical grounds. The organization questions the assumptions that the infusion technique works as intended, and that even if the poison were effective, whether middlemen in a lucrative, illegal trade would care much about the effect it would have on buyers on another continent. They also claim that poisoned horns could heighten demand for non-poisoned horns among wealthier buyers or could fuel the belief in magical properties of the horn if people survive the poisoning.
Additionally, rhino horn is increasingly purchased for decorative use, rather than for use in traditional medicine. Save the Rhino questions the feasibility of applying the technique to all African rhinos, since workers would have to reapply the acaricide every 4 years. It was also reported that one out of 150 rhinos treated did not survive the anesthesia.
Use of subtle alternative for Rhino horn
Another way to undercut the rhinoceros horn market has been suggested by Matthew Markus of Pembient, a biotechnology firm. He proposes the synthesis of an artificial substitute for rhinoceros horn. To enable authorities to distinguish the bioengineered horn from real rhinoceros horn, the genetic code of the bioengineered horn could be registered, similar to the DNA of living rhinoceros in the RhODIS (Rhino DNA Index System). Initial responses from many conservationists were negative, but a 2016 report from TRAFFICwhich monitors trade in wildlife and animal partsconceded that it ...would be rash to rule out the possibility that trade in synthetic rhinoceros horn could play a role in future conservation strategies.
Definition of termS
CITES:- convention on international trade in endangered species
DNA:- deoxyribonucleic acid
IFAW:- international fund for animal welfare
CITES:- convention on international trade in endangered species
DNA:- deoxyribonucleic acid
IFAW:- international fund for animal welfare
Written by UTHMAN
Sources: Wikipedia, save the Rhino.
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