In Focus - Rhinoceros

Status: Critically Endangered

Geographic Region: Africa and Asia

Meaning of name: Ancient Greek – Nose 

Habitat: Open savannas to deep forest  

Threats: Poaching



Black Rhino - Disney's Animal Kingdom

There are five species of the rhinoceros (rhino) living in the wild, across two continents. Africa has two species and possibly the most recognisable, the white and black rhino. The white rhino has 2 sub species. The Southern white rhino is the most prolific of all the rhino species and there is also the Northern white rhino. The black rhino did have four sub species at the start of 2013. The Western black rhino was declared extinct in November 2013, although it had not been seen since 2006. The other 3 sub species are the South Western, South Central and East African rhino.

The white rhino is actually grey, and has two horns with the front horn dominating. They are the largest of all the rhino species and have been known to get as heavy as 4,500 kg. The black rhino is the same color as the white rhino. They also have two horns with the front horn being slightly longer than the back horn. The black rhino is significantly smaller than the white rhino.

Southern white rhino

Asia has three species, the Indian, Javan and Sumatran rhino.  The Indian rhino is also known as the one–horned rhino (three guesses why) -  yes they only have one horn.

The Javan rhino is one of the most endangered mammals on earth today. There may only be 40 left in the wild. And the Sumatran rhino is not in a much better condition with only 275 left.

Although an adult rhino does not have any natural predators they are being hunted at incredible rates for their horns. In 2011, 448 rhinos were killed in South Africa alone.

Below are the approximate numbers of each species left in the wild as of November 2013.

White Rhino –       20,170

Black Rhino –         4,880

Indian Rhino –        2,575

Sumatran Rhino –     275

Javan Rhino –             40

Stu’s Zoo Pick for the Rhino

 

Unfortunately I don’t think zoos can do a lot to save these beautiful animals. Breeding programs will only slow down the inevitable. Poaching is such an out of control problem that the solution can only lay at the feet of the individual governments and their global supporters. Sanctuaries, rangers and laws however won’t stop the ivory trade, and until this is dealt with, the rhino will always be on the critically endangered list, or worse - Extinct !

The following are photos of some of the rhinos I have seen whilst visiting zoos.  

Two southern white rhinos - Werribee Open Range Zoo

Two southern white rhinos staying warm in winter - Bronx Zoo

Southern white rhino - Perth Zoo

Southern white rhino and her baby - Australia Zoo

© November 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au

What’s with the Dinosaurs?

Sea Worlds Dinosaur Island

When I first started thinking about this post, It was more about me being perplexed about dinosaur exhibits at zoos and their relevance. Ok I get it! Dinosaurs are popular at the moment. But really, has there ever been a time when they haven’t been?   This post was prompted by a recent visit to Sea World on the Gold Coast – Where they have Dinosaur Island, an area filled with giant models of dinosaurs growling and moving and looking just real enough to scare the pants of any kid. Don’t get me wrong it looked great and I’m sure it’s a huge draw card creating well needed funds and I get the need for that,  as I wrote in a recent blog.

 

Sea World - Gold Coast

What I have come to realise is that I think they are missing an opportunity to tell a really important story. Maybe one that will resinate with children allot more than just some animatronics.  We all know that dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years so yes there is a fascination and they are very popular. So why not use them as the draw card to tell a more frightening story.  Let’s also tell children about animals that have gone the way of the Dinosaur in let’s say, the last 10 year!  So in Sea Worlds Case – tell the story of the Baiji Dolphin that once was abundant in the Yangtze River in China - now extinct, last seen in 2002.  Or the Western Black Rhino – technically still on the critically endangered list but none have been seen in any of the recent surveys and none are held in captivity, so without a peep – Extinct! Or the Hawaiian black Crow, Pyrenean Ibex or the Golden Toad, all gone.

Baby western black rhino - Gone!

I know that none of these animals have the pulling power of a Dinosaur Island. I am also sure that some zoos do touch on the subject of recent extinct animals at their dinosaur exhibits. If I had my way, alongside the plastic toys, tee-shirts and hats of dinosaurs in the gift shop would be, tee-shirts and hats and mugs with a picture of a Western Black Rhino, Golden Toad etc, with the word Extinct in bold red underneath. These stories need to be told so that our children’s children are not taking their children to a place called “wild life island”.
© April 2013-Stuatthezoo.blogspot.com.au