Green Options

Thanks to rampant poaching and habitat destruction, rhinos have the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most endangered animals on earth.

Over the last 30 years, the world’s overall rhinoceros population has declined by over 90% - and if not for dedicated conservation efforts over the last 100 years, it is likely that all rhinoceros species would already be extinct.

To help raise awareness for these proud pachyderms, here are 11 incredible facts about rhinos - plus a compilation of beautiful photos (except for one very graphic photo) and a couple of videos, too. Enjoy!

Britain’s first IVF white rhino calf has been born at the Colchester Zoo.

The history-making calf is named Zamba, and was welcomed into the world on October 3, following a 16-month pregnancy. His mother, 11-year-old Cynthia, was in labor for three hours and was able to deliver the calf on her own. Zamba’s father, Simba, had died in April at the age of 41.

For the first time, Kenya Wildlife Service is introducing white rhino from Lake Nakuru National Park to Nairobi National Park.

Nairobi National Park will serve as a new home for ten white rhino, who are being translocated from drought-stricken Lake Nakuru National Park. The lack of water has depleted the grasses that make up the huge herbivores’ food source, and Lake Nakuru wildlife officials fear there is too much competition and not enough food for the grass-eating pachyderms.

Woburn Safari Park has received two female Southern white rhino from South Africa as part of a plan to create a self-sustaining white rhino population in Europe.

After a three-and-a-half day journey from Johannesburg to Bedfordshire, Mtubatuba and Mzuki are settling into their new home at Woburn Safari Park. Once the ladies complete a 30-day quarantine process, they will be gradually introduced to Woburn’s current crash of four white rhino, along with a young male rhino from another UK facility.

The slaughter of a white rhino named Heide from Thula Thula private game reserve brings the year’s total in KZN to 17. Just two days ago, another white rhino was killed at the Intaba Ingwe game ranch nearby.

Efforts to keep Heide safe from poachers were simply not enough. According to The Witness, the young rhino had even been assigned a tracker in hopes of keeping her safe from poachers.

Sadly, she vanished and her carcass was found yesterday, with her horn hacked out of her face.

Operators of Thula Thula Lawrence Anthony and Francoise Malby-Anthony said in the article that only two white rhino remain on their reserve. Heide was born on Thula Thula seven years ago.

The recent slaughter of rhinos in the province is being investigated by members of the police Organised Crime Units. They noted that the case appears similar to others in Opathe and Mfozolo.

Experts agree that the rising affluence in China is directly related to what can only be described as an organized, deliberate mass slaughter of rhinos. Evidence is emerging that poaching cartels are fulfilling “orders” for rhino horn (and elephant ivory) at the request of Chinese nationals - who reportedly pay a fee to smuggle the horns from Africa to Asia.

Poachers from China and Vietnam have found a loophole for obtaining rhino horn by participating in legal trophy hunts in South Africa - and then having the horns shipped to Asia for illegal sale.

Last week, members of PHASA (Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa) were advised not to “book and conduct hunts with nationals from Vietnam or other Far Eastern countries” until the government had “removed this abuse of the SA legal system.”

The most recent example of this “system abuse” was the incident in May, when Dwesa Nature Reserve awarded the “right” to kill 6 rhino to the highest bidder - African Scent Safaris. It was then confirmed that Vietnamese clients of African Scent Safaris killed two rhino and had the horns exported to Vietnam.

This also brings into question whether or not SANParks’ recent auction of White Rhinos from Kruger NP could be contributing to the exploitation of legal trophy hunting by poachers from China and other Asian countries.

Conservationists and animal rights organizations are outraged at what looks like a potential trend in species management (or mismanagement) of the Southern White Rhino (Ceratotherum simum). 10 of 200 White Rhinos sold at auction last week have already been killed by “trophy hunters.” And earlier this year, Dwesa Nature Reserve sold the right to kill 6 White Rhinos to the highest bidder.

In the case of the Dwesa hunt, the rhinos were killed by Vietnamese clients of African Scent Safaris, which, according to their website offers an “unforgettable African hunting experience.” These patrons had the rhino horns exported to Vietnam, where illegal wildlife trade is active.

Outraged against the last week’s proceedings, Animal Rights Africa is calling for prospective tourists coming to visit the country for the 2010 FIFA World Cup to boycott the Kruger National Park.