The African Rhino - Vulnerable Despite a Thick Skin - Part 2
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1. The African Rhino - Vulnerable Despite Thick Skin
The
black rhino's life span is curtailed at about 40 years. Relative to the
white rhino, it matures at a much younger age of 4-7 years for females
and 7-10
years for males. Females may successfully calf at intervals of 2 ½ to 4
years, with a 15-16 month gestation period.
Their semi-social
life is
not as pronounced as that of the white rhino; they mostly live in pairs
or small groups of mothers and calves. But males are mostly solitary. The black
rhino species falls into four subspecies: the western, southern-western, eastern and south-central subspecies.
The
Western Black Rhino may be on its
last legs, as only a measly population of less than seven separated
individuals roam the savannah woodlands of northern Cameroon. Their
separation has raised
serious practical concerns over the possibility of propagating. This
kind is rated as Critically Endangered, but conservationists have not
given up, and the
International Rhino Foundation (www.rhinos-irf.org) together with others
have in great urgency stepped in to try and save the situation.
The
Eastern
Black Rhinos survival prospects are better than those of the western
subspecies. The subspecies is notorious for its aggressive nature. It
differs slightly
in appearance from the other black rhinos, as it is slightly leaner and
longer and has a more curved and elongated horn. This breed has found a
favourable
refuge in Kenya's Lake Nakuru and Tsavo National Parks. There are also
small populations living in Tanzania and Rwanda and a single one in
South Africa.
Only about 520 eastern black rhino's exist in the wild, while another
175 are in captivity.
The South-Western Black Rhino is more
adaptive to the
arid and semi-arid areas and has found home in the arid savannahs of
southern Africa. This subspecies has an upright horn and even tougher
skin than other
rhinos' to suit the climatic conditions. About 1,300 south-westerns roam
the wild, and none is held in captivity.
Though still in
unacceptably low
numbers, the southern-central subspecies is the most prolific of the
black rhinos; about 1,800 exist in the wild. It is mainly found in South
Africa, and
smaller populations in Zimbabwe and Swaziland. This subspecies has shown
tremendous improvement in well being over time, though it can hardly be
said to be
safely out of the woods.
Overall, the popu lation of black rhino was estimated at 3,600 in 2005, mainly in Namibia (34%), South Africa (36%),
Zimbabwe (15%) and Kenya (12%).
In southern Africa, the best way to catch up with both white and black rhinos is by taking a South Africa safari. Here, a good location will be Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in central Zululand. In eastern Africa, on a
Kenya safari you are bound to come across fine specimens of black rhino at Lake Nakuru National Park. At other locations in
Kenya, rhinos are not numerous enough to guarantee a sighting.
The
rhino is a huge beast and few animals in the wild can match it strength
and
ferocity. Man is its only mortal enemy and poaching continues to be the
greatest menace facing the African rhino. For so long, the rhino has
been hunted for
its horn, which is believed by some- particularly in greater Asia to be
of untold medicinal value. In the Middle East, the horn is converted
into prized
dagger handles whose black market price exceeds that of gold.
There
are many reasons rhino poaching continues in Africa, with poverty, war,
civil
strife and corruption being leading causes. And with high prices on
offer, poachers do not hesitate to seize any chance to make a living. It
is possible that
sustained progress will only be made once governments in the African
countries hosting the rhino develop increased capacity to keep law and
order, and reduce
poverty so as to arbitrate between the interests of man and beast.
Resources
are also needed to effect occasional translocations - which can be
quite pricey. This measure can boost the genetic diversity of rhino
populations. In the long run, this will raise the rhino's fertility and
reduce mortality
rates- sometimes issues of serious concern. Today the biggest number of
Africa' rhinos live under the authorities careful watch in protected
areas. It calls
for constant vigilance to keep away the blood-soaked hands of the
rhino's enemies.
The progress made in recent years in saving the
rhino has
resulted from closer collaboration particularly between governments,
conservation organisations and managers of private and public
sanctuaries.
Some
of the initiatives have involved trying to get local communities in the
territories where rhinos live to side with the rhino, while fostering
regional
cooperation and deepening the capacities of wildlife conservation
agencies to protect the rhino.
The development of safe techniques
of rhino
translocation has helped conservation by easing the introduction of
populations in new areas. The most radical conservation approach
involves attempts to
start dialogue with governments and traders, with the aim of setting up a
regime of limited legal rhino horn trade.
In the last 100 years,
so much
of the African rhino's blood has been spilled. Yet victory is still far
off and the future of this momentous beast still hangs in the
balance.
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