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.