Rhino Conservation
The western black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis longipes) has officially become the next sub- species of Rhino to become extinct. The Rhino, one of four sub-species of black Rhino, was declared extinct this week by the IUCN, five years after the last survey of its habitat in Cameroon turned up no evidence of surviving Black Rhinos. The western black Rhino was once widespread across the savannas of central-west Africa but it has decreased due to hunting in the early 20th century. The population rose again in the 1930s due to conservation efforts, but was to no avail as these slipped away. The population was in the hundreds by 1980 and decreased to 10 by 2000.
This sub-species of Rhino becomes the second declared extinct this year. Last month the Vietnamese Rhino, a subspecies of the Javan Rhino, was officially listed as extinct. Both species were the victim of habitat loss and poaching. Both were considered conceded to the Chinese rhino horn trade, which has driven the price of horn beyond gold, despite no evidence to suggest the Rhino horn has any value beyond the placebo effect. All of the world 's remaining Rhino species are considered at risk of extinction. All are threatened by the Rhino horn trade. The next Rhino likely to go extinct is the northern white Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), a central African subspecies of white Rhino. The Javan Rhino is meanwhile down to less than 40 individuals in Sumatra 's Ujung Kulon National Park.
This is becoming a serious issue in the normal world as well as from a biological world as more species become extinct due to man every year. Ultimately this could have an effect on the entire balance of nature (From a biological point of view) as with less Rhino’s, the food chain is disrupted resulting in an increase of a certain species which could end in an imbalance within the food chain.
Threats and reasons for decline:
The black rhino was formerly found in suitable habitat over most of Africa south of the
This sub-species of Rhino becomes the second declared extinct this year. Last month the Vietnamese Rhino, a subspecies of the Javan Rhino, was officially listed as extinct. Both species were the victim of habitat loss and poaching. Both were considered conceded to the Chinese rhino horn trade, which has driven the price of horn beyond gold, despite no evidence to suggest the Rhino horn has any value beyond the placebo effect. All of the world 's remaining Rhino species are considered at risk of extinction. All are threatened by the Rhino horn trade. The next Rhino likely to go extinct is the northern white Rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), a central African subspecies of white Rhino. The Javan Rhino is meanwhile down to less than 40 individuals in Sumatra 's Ujung Kulon National Park.
This is becoming a serious issue in the normal world as well as from a biological world as more species become extinct due to man every year. Ultimately this could have an effect on the entire balance of nature (From a biological point of view) as with less Rhino’s, the food chain is disrupted resulting in an increase of a certain species which could end in an imbalance within the food chain.
Threats and reasons for decline:
The black rhino was formerly found in suitable habitat over most of Africa south of the
Bibliography: http://news.mongabay.com/2011/1112-rip_western_black_rhino.html http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=western+black+rhino&FORM=HDRSC2#view=detail&id=B3B36B2FD7A87A81E280B00795839CD17DF6F9AB&selectedIndex=0