Rhinos
Rhinos have been endangered for a while now due to poaching and recently there has been some disturbing news brought to environmental specialists. In Botswana, poachers have ignored Botwana’s safe reserves and have killed 11 rhinos since last year. Two dead rhinos were discovered on Mombo Island, which would make them the tenth and eleventh find in the last eleven months. While there are people who try to stop these poachers, like the Botswana Defence Force, law enforcement agencies have realized that there need to be stricter policies. In an article from Southern Times Africa, they report “DWNP coordinator, Timothy Blackbeard, was quoted as saying the horns seem to have been ‘cruelly’ removed and the incident seemed to be an opportunist crime rather than an organised one. Other investigation agencies such as the Botswana Police and Intelligence Services are also looking into the case.” These animals have felt the cruelty of poachers and now the government is stepping up to save them. Also in the article, giving more examples of rhinos that have died this year, “According to another report carried by Mmegi newspaper late last year, poachers hit a critically endangered black rhino in the Moremi Game Reserve on Chief’s Island in the heart of the Okavango Delta. This has raised fears that the poachers are on a mission because the area is believed to be the most secure from poachers, as it is guarded by the Anti-Poaching Unit.” Botswana was supposed to be a safe place for rhinos but has turned into their worst nightmare.
Why is poaching such a big deal? What are the other threats to rhinos? According to an article from Save The Rhino, I”n just a decade, more than 7,245 African rhinos have been lost to poaching.” This is because rhino horns are made of keratin which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and trade purposes since it’s so expensive according to the same article. Poaching is not the only threat to these creatures. Habitat and political turmoil are more contributing factors to their near extinction. Save The Rhino explains how rhinos are losing their homes by saying “Clearance of land for human settlement, agricultural production and logging are constantly increasing. This is a major threat to all species as wildlife needs space to survive and thrive. This is a major barrier to enabling rhino numbers to recover and increase.” In the same article, Save The Rhino comments on the loss of rhinos due to political turmoil by saying “In areas where law enforcement has become difficult – particularly in war zones, where there is political instability or corruption – rhinos may have less on the ground protection and poachers often take advantage of this.” Rhinos have been around for millions of years and it is our job to conserve these creatures as best as we can because they are a large part of our ecosystem and our food web.
Why is poaching such a big deal? What are the other threats to rhinos? According to an article from Save The Rhino, I”n just a decade, more than 7,245 African rhinos have been lost to poaching.” This is because rhino horns are made of keratin which is used in traditional Chinese medicine and trade purposes since it’s so expensive according to the same article. Poaching is not the only threat to these creatures. Habitat and political turmoil are more contributing factors to their near extinction. Save The Rhino explains how rhinos are losing their homes by saying “Clearance of land for human settlement, agricultural production and logging are constantly increasing. This is a major threat to all species as wildlife needs space to survive and thrive. This is a major barrier to enabling rhino numbers to recover and increase.” In the same article, Save The Rhino comments on the loss of rhinos due to political turmoil by saying “In areas where law enforcement has become difficult – particularly in war zones, where there is political instability or corruption – rhinos may have less on the ground protection and poachers often take advantage of this.” Rhinos have been around for millions of years and it is our job to conserve these creatures as best as we can because they are a large part of our ecosystem and our food web.
Sources
“Poaching | Rhino Threats | Save the Rhino International.” Save The Rhino, www.savetherhino.org/rhino-info/threats/poaching-rhino-horn/.
“Poachers Kill 11 Endangered Rhinos in Botswana || The Southern Times.” Maxebooking.com, southerntimesafrica.com/site/news/poachers-kill-11-endangered-rhinos-in-botswana.
“Poachers Kill 11 Endangered Rhinos in Botswana || The Southern Times.” Maxebooking.com, southerntimesafrica.com/site/news/poachers-kill-11-endangered-rhinos-in-botswana.