Reflective Summary

Before I do the research, I was totally unaware of the importance of the need to conserve white rhinoceros. I thought that there is a large number of white rhinos remain in the world and it can be easily found in various countries. To me, white rhino is a common type of rhino species and it is same as the widely known black rhino. The only difference between the two rhino species is they have different colour. I thought that they are easily available in elsewhere.

After the research, I realised that there is a great difference between the two types of rhinoceros. Despite of their colour, the black and white rhino are distinguish by the shape of their mouths. White rhinos have broad flat lips for grazing and black rhinos have long pointed lips for eating foliage. The number of white rhino left on the world is rather rare as compare to black rhino.

I have learnt that there are reasons resulting the decimating of the population of white rhino. The main reason is the uncontrolled hunting and poaching done by irresponsible poachers who sell their prey as a source of earning money. The white rhino's horn is relatively valuable which can be made into devices, used as a decorative item, or even made into medicine. These are the reasons why people pursue to hunt for white rhino. Besides that, white rhino is relatively unagressive and is vulnerable to hunt. This had enforced the decline of white rhino.

My perspective had changed after reading the article as I used to think that white rhino is a harmless species which will not affect human activities. After I read the article, I noticed that white rhino is actually a destruction to habitat for farming and settlements. They feed on the crops and stamp on the plowland. This had distroyed the arable plowed by the farmers and had resulted the farmers to consider it as a disaster and wanted to eliminate the species. This had also led to the reduce in the population of white rhino.

My thoughts towards the decline of white rhino is that human is responsible for its decimating population. White rhinos are most likely available at less-developed countries, such as Africa, Kenya, Uganda and Zambia where people in the countries are lack of the knowledge of conserving endangered species. They may think that white rhino is always exist and unaware of the importance of conservation. As a result of their poverty, they intend to poach white rhino and sell it as a way of earning money. This should not be done and it threatened the population of white rhino in the world.

My opinion towards the current situation is that we have to speed up the conservation of white rhino so as to rescue more of this endangered species. I am glad that countries and organisations had put in effort in conserving the species. Conservationists, researchers and concerned individuals had also do their part in advising the public. Their concerted efforts had resulted the success in conserving white rhinos. Continue conservation of white rhino is needed so as to ensure the population of this endangered species will increase.

To improve the current situation, I will do my part by spreading the importance of conserving white rhino to the people around. I will tell them how serious is the current situation and the consequences of the extinction of white rhino. I will show them the pictures and news article of endangered white rhino to enable them to gain awareness of the needs of conservation. I will also encourage people to support the conservation programmes and help to publicize the importance of conserving white rhino.

I suggest that poaching of white rhino have to be banned and law have to be implemented in order to help reduce illegal trade and poaching of rhino's horn. The government should do their part in publicize the importance of conserving white rhino and encourage people to donate money to the respective organisations for successful managing and conserving white rhino.

Reflective journal 3: Conservation of endangered white rhinoceros

Many southern white rhino are now concentrated within protected areas such as fenced sanctuaries, conservancies, rhino conservation areas and intensive protection zones. Effective management strategies have resulted in surplus animals being translocated to set up new populations within and outside the species’ former range. In a number of countries, populations are now managed by both the state and the private sector, increasing their long-term security.

Selling limited sport hunting of surplus males, for example, attracts large revenues and powerful incentives for private sector conservation, and generates much needed funds to help pay the high cost of successfully monitoring, protecting and managing rhino had done to preserve the conservation of white rhinoceros. Domestic anti-trade measures and legislation were also implemented in the 1990s to help reduce illegal trade. Some game managers immobilize white rhinos and remove their horns to deter poachers.

There are a number of regional and continental African rhino conservation initiatives that advise on or support effective conservation programmes. These include the IUCN SSC’s African Rhino Specialist Group, the SADC Rhino Management and Rhino Recovery Groups, the Rhino and Elephant Security Group and the SADC Regional Programme for Rhino Conservation. Thanks to the concerted efforts of conservationists, researchers and concerned individuals, particularly in South Africa, southern white rhinos have recovered from just a single population of between 20 and 50 animals in 1895 to about 17,500 today, with an additional 750 animals in captive breeding institutions worldwide, and are now the most abundant kind of rhino in the world. Rescued from near extinction a century ago, this subspecies stands as one of the world's greatest conservation success stories. Nevertheless, poaching pressure remains an ever-present threat and, with 99% of all southern white rhinos occurring in only four countries, the subspecies is still vulnerable and we cannot become complacent about its conservation.

Sadly, the outlook for the northern white rhino doesn’t look so bright. The Garamba project had managed to conserve the population at about 30 rhinos from the late 1980’s up to 2003, but an upsurge in poaching resulted in it declining to only 4 animals in 2006. If the northern white rhino has now become extinct in the wild, its survival may now depend upon the successful breeding of the small number of rhinos held at Dvur Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic.

http://www.arkive.org/white-rhinoceros/ceratotherium-simum/info.html

My reflection:

From the article, I had recognised the effort dedicated by countries as well as organisations to help in conserving the population of white rhinoceros. The effort can be seen from the setting of conservancies, rhino conservation areas and fenced sanctuaries to fully protect the endangered rhino species. Organisations had also generated funds to raise money to pay for the cost required for successful monitoring and managing white rhinoceros. This will provide a better condition for the white rhinos as well as improving the diet and services.

Law and anti-trade measures were also implemented to help reduce illegal trade and the poaching of rhino's horn. Offenders will be executed punnishments such as fine or imprisonment. This is to alert the poachers from continuing poaching rhino. Conservationists, reseachers and concerned individuals had do their part in advising the public and supporting conservation programmes. Their concerted efforts had resulted the success in conserving white rhinos through the increasing population of the species. Continue conservation of white rhino is needed so as to ensure this endangered species will remain in large number in the world.

In order to make the measures more effective, the government of less-developed countries should also do their parts in publicizing the importance of conserving white rhino to the people in their countries. As an individual conservationist, we should also help the situation by visiting these countries and persuade the people to avoid poaching. We should let them know about the current situation and tell them what shoud they do.

Reflective journal 2: Articles on white rhinoceros

White Rhinos are divided into two distinct subspecies, the Northern White Rhino and the Southern White Rhino. The Southern White Rhino is the least endangered of the living kinds of rhino, with a population of about 17,500, while the Northern White Rhino is feared extinct in the wild, as reported on June 17, 2008, the remaining Northern White Rhinos in the world were feared to have been killed for their horns by poachers.

The Southern White Rhino was considered extinct (due to poaching) until 1895, when a small population of less than 100 individuals was discovered in South Africa. White Rhinos are confined to private ranches and heavily protected areas; however, poaching remains a threat. Nearly all of the White Rhinos are located in South Africa. The WWF also reports that small populations have been re-introduced to Botswana, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Zambia, and Cote d'Ivoire. Recently, a Southern white rhino was born in Uganda.

The White Rhino has two horns comprised of compressed keratin - basically hair and fingernail material. The White Rhino is actually not white in color; the name is thought to be a result of mistaking the Afrikaans word "weit" (meaning "wide") for "white." The White Rhino is grey, although he or she often looks brown due to being covered in mud after wallowing.

The White Rhino is most readily identified by its square lip, and is also known as the Square-Lipped Rhinoceros. The square lip is used for grazing on grasses. While looking at the rhino's head, you will see eyelashes and a little bit of hair on the ears. The other area where the White Rhino has hair is the tip of the tail.

Like all rhinos, the White Rhino is an odd-toed ungulate, having three toes - each with a sturdy hoof-like nail. Also in common with other rhinos is a superb sense of hearing, keen sense of smell - but relatively poor eyesight. The White Rhino, along with the roughly equal-sized Indian Rhino, is the largest species of land mammal after the elephant.

http://www.savingrhinos.org/White-Rhino.html

My reflection:

From the article, I realised that there is actually two types of white rhinos, namely northern and southern white rhinos. The remaining population of the white rhino in the world was rather rare. Most of them can be found in South Africa, with a small population in Kenya, Botswana, Zambia and Uganda. I felt interesting to read a fun fact regarding the colour of the white rhino, which is grey, not white.

I learnt that the white rhino can be identified by its square lips, they are also known as the 'square-lipped rhinoceros'. The square lip is used for grazing on grasses. From this, I knew that the white rhinos have special body features to help them function. White rhino is being considered as an odd-toed ungulate. This is because it consists of three toes which look like nail. They have a good sense of hearing and smelling, but poor eyesight. I was surprised when it says the white rhino is actually the second largest land mammal.

From the website, I had also learnt about the difference between black and white rhino. They are not really differentiate by colour, but the shapes of their mouths. White rhinos have broad flat lips for grazing while black rhinos have long pointed lips for eating foliage. White rhino is normally doubled the size of a black rhino. I felt interesting to know all these information regarding of white rhino. I had gained lots of knowledge and became more familiar with this species after reading it.

Reflective journal 1: Endangered white rhinoceros

By 1895, the white rhinoceros was considered extinct throughout its African range; however there was a small population of 20 to 50 animals that was still living in the Umfolozi region of South Africa. Rhino populations were decimated by uncontrolled hunting and poaching during the colonial period and second to that was the destruction of habitat for farming and settlements. Farmers considered all rhinos as pests that needed to be eliminated. Here are some of the reasons for the dramatic decline in white rhino populations:

Hunting. Uncontrolled hunting took a heavy toll on all the rhino populations and other big game during the colonial period throughout Africa.White rhinos were already decimated when Theodore Roosevelt went Africa with 600 porters and professional hunters in the early 1900s to collect specimens for museums in the United States. They killed over 500 animals and shipped their heads and skins home. Soon after, the Prince of Wales went on an extensive hunting safari to Africa, which popularized safari hunting even more. And in Kenya, the rail line from the coast to Nairobi was completed making big game more accessible to hunting expeditions. Safari hunting became the rage throughout Africa. In the eastern African countries the black rhinos suffered heavy losses.

Horn. Rhino horn was used as to make ornamental drinking cups in China which could detect poisons. Poisoning was an often used non-bloody way of getting rid of your rivals or enemies; therefore it was a good idea if you had some way of detecting it in your own drink. Poisons used at the time were strong alkaloids and are thought to react with the keratin and gelatin that the rhino horn is made from, producing effervescent bubbles. The cups were used in Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and Christian cultures from Central Africa to China. In Africa the main centers for production of cups was in Sudan and Ethiopia.
There were many other things that were carved from rhino horns as ornamental art such as bowls, spoons, brush pots for artists, netsuke (mens kimono fastener) in Japan, the handles of canes, boxes, jewelry and elaborate carvings. The 1800s was a major export period for rhino horn and items can still be found in various antique shops throughout Europes major cities and in New York. Prices in these antique shops range from about $900 to $5,000 for ornamental objects made of rhino horn.

Dagger Handles. The Jambiya or dagger with a carved handle is worn by all men and boys over 11 years of age in Yemen and in a number of the other Gulf Countries. The jambiya with a carved handle of rhino horn carries the greatest cultural significance and is a sign of great prestige. This has been the most enduring ornamental use of rhino horn. When carved is has an amber translucency that improves with handling, developing a special patina over time, unlike other materials that deteriorate with age. It is this quality that has kept rhino horn on the top of the most wanted list. The most skilled carvers of rhino horn are in Yemen. Even though dagger handles have been a part of Gulf culture for a very long time, it was the discovery of huge oil field in the Middle East along with the vast wealth it created, that drove the demand. There was a 20-fold rise in the price of rhino horn and had devastating effects, especially on black rhino populations. During the 1970s almost 40% of all rhino horn on the world market was imported to Northern Yemen. In 1978 a top quality hand carved jambiya sold for $12,000(US).
The oil price collapse in the mid-1980s, combined with cultural priorities and the government instituting high penalties for the use of rhino horn demand has lessened. The government of Yemen tried unsuccessfully to halt the trade in rhino horn beginning in 1982. It wasnt until Yemen eventually signed on as a party to CITES in 1997, combined with and the Grand Mufti issuing a Fatwa (an Islamic edict), saying it was against the will of Islam to kill rhinos in for dagger handles that things changed dramatically. Better protection against poaching in the protected parks has also helped reduce rhino horn trade, but it has not stopped. As long as poachers still have access to the rhinos in poorly protected parks and a wealthy buyer on the other end the slaughter will continue. Today, most carved handles are made from cheaper alternative materials such as water buffalo horn. A very good synthetic rhino horn product was developed, but it is very expensive alternative.

Medicine. It is important to note that contrary to Western belief, rhino horn is not used as an aphrodisiac. It did find limited use as such in the Gujarat province of Northern India but today because of bans and the high price, demand is down.
The most significant threat today can be taken in 1993 of TCM practitioners, 60% stocked horn. Mostly it is the horn that is used, but also blood, urine, bones and dung have been utilized.

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/white_rhinoceros.htm

My reflection:

After reading the article, I found out that there were several factors which had resulted the decline of white rhinoceros. This includes incontrolled hunting and poaching of white rhinoceros which were done by people who were irresponsible and wanted to use it as a source of earning money. The white rhinoceros is particularly vulnerable to hunting, because it is relatively unaggressive and occurs in herds.

There was only a small population of white rhinoceros remain in the world. The species is rare and I found that the conservation of white rhinoceros is needed in order to make sure that this species will not extinct in one day and the subsequent generations will be able to recognise them. Until today, the rhino population is still decimating which I think the public should do their part and completely ban poaching white rhinoceros.

The main reason which had resulted the decline of white rhino is the people living in less-developed countries who are lack of knowledge and do not aware of the importance of conserving engangered animals. They consider that poaching white rhino is a way of earning money. I think we should correct their thoughts and let them realise the mistakes they had made by explaining the concept of conserving white rhino to them.