Black Rhinos

Great Essays
In the beginning of the 20th century, 500,000 rhinoceros roamed through Africa and Asia and only range from five species: Sumatran rhino, black rhino, white rhino, javan rhino, and Indian rhino. Out of these five species, the most iconic is the black rhino. Known for their two horns and hook-lipped, black rhinos live in the lower half of Africa, separating into two subspecies: Western black rhinos and Eastern black rhinos. However, in 1970, it was recorded that there were only around 65,000 black rhinos in Africa, after European and Asian colonists exterminated them for their horns to use for medications, jewelry, and weapons. Rhino horns were mainly used as medication to cure viruses in Asia. Jewelry, such as necklaces, bracelets, and rings, …show more content…
In fact, the WWF has been rescuing rhinos for more than 50 years. “WWF launched an international effort to save wildlife in 1961, rescuing black rhinos…from the brink of extinction. Thanks to persistent conservation efforts across Africa, the total number of black rhinos grew from 2,410 in 1995 to more than 5,000 today” (Huijbregts). In March 2018, the WWF reported that the population of black rhinos ranges from 5,000 to 5,400. Their work has been extraordinary, as they have not only saved rhinos, but also other animals around the world. However, if poachers continue to increase, the WWF’s work may fail. Fortunately, Fauna&Flora International, an international charity organization, have prepared and used many tactics to catch poachers and save black rhinos. For example, they use techniques including anti-poachers, fake rhino horns, and trackers. Anti-poachers are groups of rangers with trained dogs who find poachers harming rhinos and animals in the wild. In addition, they professionally attach a fake rhino horn to a rhino, and track the poachers down. “Through the hard work of the rangers and the conservancies [we] support, the rhino populations in these protected areas are stable or increasing. But the balance is delicate and as the rewards of poaching are so great, poachers have become better equipped and the challenge becomes greater day by day” (Help save rhinos and support rangers). As Fauna&Flora International reports, they are pleased that they are saving black rhinos, but remind the public that rhinos are not entirely safe from

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