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.