January 6, 2000White Rhinos Rebound from ExtinctionAfrica's white rhinoceros population is rebounding from the brink of extinction thanks to the intervention of the very predator that almost extinguished it: human beings. What negative and positive impact have humans had on rhinos? According to the World Wildlife Fund, although large cats (lions, tigers, etc.) attack baby rhinos, human beings are the only natural predator of adult rhinos. Humans have hunted rhinos extensively for meat, for their horn, and to serve as a hunting trophy. As human populations in Africa and Asia — the natural habitat of the five rhinoceros subspecies--have mushroomed, settlement has gradually replaced the rhino's habitat, further endangering this already over-hunted species. Civil war throughout much of the African continent has also taken a toll on the white rhinos, who now face extinction in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In Mozambique not only has the white rhino population disappeared, but it went extinct twice in the twentieth country. Mozambique's white rhino population first disappeared in the early part of the 1900s. During the 1960s, white rhinos were reintroduced there, but poaching and civil war decimated the new population as well. But all is not bleak for the white rhinos, especially in South Africa. It is estimated that in the early 1900s, there were approximately 20-50 white rhinos throughout southern Africa. Early conservation efforts were focused on South Africa's Umfolozi Game Reserve. This reserve together with the Hluhluwe Reserve became the major breeding ground for white rhinos, and gradually the offspring were relocated to restock populations in other parts of Africa. Today there are over 8,000 white rhinos throughout southern Africa. Yet there is still much work to be done. One survey showed that in 1997 outside of southern Africa there were only 192 white rhinos. The Kaziranga National Park in India and the Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal have both made notable progress in white rhino conservation. As the world's human population continues to climb, how can the white rhino population be protected? Park ManagementNational parks and game reserves play an important part in saving endangered species. Parks are generally off-limits to hunters, and in most cases make it easier to control poaching. Parks keep urban sprawl out, thereby preserving the natural habitat of the species. Park managers must tend all species living in the park, not just specific ones. You can learn about viewing the park as an entire ecosystem in the Biology Explorer activities (Requires Logal Express. Download a free trial subscription.): Maintaining System Balance and Competition Pressure. International Trade BansThe international demand for rhino horn has contributed to the rhinos' struggle for survival. The horn is used for treating fevers throughout southeast Asia, and in Yemen it is used for making dagger handles. Similarly, elephants have become endangered due to the demand for ivory from their tusks and tigers are threatened because of the demand for their claws. Governments around the world have joined together to monitor or ban wildlife trade. TRAFFIC Network, the wildlife trade monitoring program sponsored by the World Wildlife Fund for Nature and the World Conservation Union, has made progress in ensuring that wildlife trade is at sustainable levels and in accordance with local and international laws. Sustainable Development and Ecotourism"Sustainable development" and "ecotourism" are two buzzwords in the conservation of endangered species.
Learn More and Take a PartThe following sites have information about conservation projects for the white rhino specifically and for endangered species in general: You can purchase the following book: Think about how your actions far from the African jungles may still affect the rhino population. Make a list of steps you can take to contribute to their conservation. |