Habitat Loss

Forests are being destroyed all over Asia for things like clearings to build more skyscrapers that ruin the environment, school supplies, furniture and other home decor. That is why all the Asian rhinos like the Sumatran Rhino and the Indian Rhino's numbers are especially low because they have two worries in their lives that are caused by selfish humans. Habitat loss and poaching. This is completely unacceptable if we want to save our rhinos. If we continue to cut down trees like this not only will the rhino become extinct, but other types of animals too. Tigers, birds, foxes and many more. Also trees are an important part of our environment as they provide the oxygen we breathe in and is necessary for us to survive. Heres what you can do to help to prevent trees getting cut down.

1. Wood isn't necessary to make pencils with. Be environmentally friendly and don't buy the pencils made of wood. Instead purchase the recycled newspaper pencils and there are pencils with no wood at all in them.

2. Some paper is not made of trees and by other things. Buy those instead.

3. Stop buying books. Get them on your Kindle or just borrow them from libraries.

4. If you don't need both sides of the paper use an already used paper for notes or simple drafts.

Save the trees. Save the rhinos.

Poaching in South Africa

Many of the poachings occur in South Africa due to its supply of rhinos. South Africa is full of game reserves that have rhinos and other various different types of animals. In South Africa, any type of poaching is illegal, so poachers either pose as guests to be able to get closer to any animals or they cause disturbances in a area, thus driving the animal out of South Africa's borders in countries where poaching is legal, and kill them there. However, in South Africa, if someone is caught attempting to poach a rhino or has killed a rhino, they are arrested and sentenced to a 40-45 years time in jail. Most of the poachings in that area happen in Kruger National Park because it is at the border of South Africa and Mozambique where poachers usually drive the animals towards. Also, Kruger National Park has no fences so it is relatively easy to drive the rhino into a different country. As well as all that, Kruger has the most rhinos in all of South Africa, so this place is ideal for poachers.

Subspecies

Each species of rhino usually have several subspecies. Subspecies means smaller different species within that main species. Such as there are two subspecies for the White Rhino. Here are some of the subspecies.

The White Rhino

•The Southern White Rhinoceros
•The Northern White Rhinoceros

The Northern White Rhino's conservation status is sadly Critically Endangered as there are less of these than the Southern White Rhino with a status of Nearly Threatened. The reason for so little Northern White Rhino is due to very severe poaching in the north of Congo.

The Black Rhino

•Southern-Central Black Rhinoceros
•South-Western Black Rhinoceros
•East African Black Rhinoceros
•West African Black Rhinoceros (extinct)

Though there are more Black Rhino subspecies than White Rhino, there is less of their population left. Although it is the most numerous of the Black Rhino species, it's status is still however Critically Endangered. The South-Western Black Rhino is listed vulnerable and the biggest threat facing it's existence is illegal poaching. The East African Black Rhino is listed Critically Endangered, and as for the West African Black Rhino is completely extinct due to poaching. They were believed to be genetically different to other Black Rhino. They once roamed the plains of sub-Saharan Africa.

The Indian Rhino

This species of rhino has no subspecies. Though there are not many left, it has been doing better than it was doing back in the twentieth century. Around that time there was estimated to be only 200 left because of poaching and habitat loss. Though they are doing better they are still threatened and listed as Vulnerable.

The Sumatran Rhino

This rhino also has no subspecies. The population of the Sumatran Rhino is less than all the other species and is also the smallest species as well. They aren't doing well because of habitat loss as well poaching.

Conservation Status

A conservation status is something that shows or tells you how close the creature is to extinction. These are the conservation statuses for the rhinos.

WHERE ON CHART=    

EX= extinct (EXTINCT)

EW= extinct in the wild (EXTINCT)

CR= critically endangered (THREATENED)

EN= endangered (THREATENED)

VU= vulnerable (THREATENED)

NT= near threatened (AT LOWER RISK)

LC= least concern (AT LOWER RISK)

Black Rhino

(EX)(EW)(CR)(EN)(VU)(NT)(LC)

Critically Endangered

White Rhino

(EX)(EW)(CR)(EN)(VU)(NT)(LC)

Vulnerable

Indian Rhino

(EX)(EW)(CR)(EN)(VU)(NT)(LC)

Vulnerable

Sumatran Rhino

(EX)(EW)(CR)(EN)(VU)(NT)(LC)

Critically Endangered

As you can see, we are running out of rhinos due to habitat destruction and poaching. If you want to save our rhinos, if you come across this blog, please tell everyone you know about this situation and ask them to read this blog. I only ask you for this because our rhinos are in a very dangerous position and scientists say they could be all gone by 2016. We have spread the word and tell people and hopefully some people will give up purchasing rhino products. Please help us. Save the rhinos.

Rhino Horn Products

I have been telling you about these rhino horn products, but I have not yet shown you any. Well, here they are.
 

Sumatran Rhino:

Indian Rhino

Indian Rhino:

Rhino's Historic Range

Years ago, rhinos used to have a vast range. However, at present, due to habitat loss and poaching, their range is very small.

Here is a Black Rhino's historic and present range:

 

White Rhino:

Rhinos Over The Years

The rhino population has been rapidly decreasing over the years. Before 2008 the rhinos were doing fine but in 2008 the Chinese minister announced that rhino horns could be used to cure cancer. Ever since then there has been a high demand on rhino horn, especially in China. What people don't understand is that rhino horn is made of the same thing as our nails, hair and teeth. I have provided a bar chart on how many rhinos have been poached each year.

Most of the kills have been happening in South Africa where approximately four rhinos are killed each day.

Species of Rhinos

There were once five species of rhinos but unfourtunately, due to serious rhino poaching one species was announced extinct in October 2011.

1.                                      The Black Rhino

Weight: 800-1350kg

Height at shoulder: 1,4-1,7m

Lifespan in wild: 30 to 40 years

Lifespan in captivity: 35 years

There are approximately 3,100 Black Rhinos left in the wild. The Black Rhinos are quite solitary animals however a recent experiment has shown that at night they meet up for social meetings. They are more active during the night and early morning.

 

  

2. The White Rhino

Weight: 1,800-2,700kg

Height at shoulder: 1,5-1,8m

Lifespan: 40-50

There are approximately 11,670 White Rhinos left in the wild. White Rhinos are more social and they often live in small herds.

3. The Indian Rhino

Weight: 1,800-2,700kg

Height at shoulder: 1,75-2m

Lifespan: 40 to 50 years

There are only approximately 2,000 Indian Rhinos left in the wild. The Indian Rhino only has one horn unlike the others. The Indian Rhino also has a double layer of armour.

4. The Sumatran Rhino

Weight: 600-950kg

Height at shoulder: 1-1,5m

Lifespan: 30-45 years (the record in captivity is 28 and 1/2 years)

There are fewer than 400 Sumatran Rhinos left in the world due to habitat destruction and poaching. They are the only Asian rhinos that have two horns. They are also the only rhinos with fur/hair.

5. The Javan Rhino (extinct)

The Javan Rhino was declared extinct in October 2011. The Javan Rhino was a Vietnamese rhino and became extinct because of serious over poaching.

Rhinos In Trouble!

Around the world, people have been poaching rhinos for their horns. They do this mainly because of people's belief that rhino horns can be used in medicine. Experts say that if we do not take action now, in less then ten years the rhinos will become extinct. Please raise awareness about this.