Rhinoceros: the Endangered Species List of the IUCN - Article Example

Rhinoceros: the Endangered Species List of the IUCN Rhinoceros are actually five species’ group that belongs to the group of odd toed ungulates, a class of vertebrates. Two types of rhinoceros are found in Africa and in South Asia there are three. These amazing creatures are known for their massive size and their weight can reach to as much as 1 tons at times. They, being big enough, surprisingly rely on a herbivorous diet and their front teeth are also not much developed in comparison to other plant eating mammals: their molars and premolars are very well developed for grazing and chewing. They are also characterized by the presence of a large horn in front of their heads. The Indian and Sumatran Rhinos have two horns and the African species have one large horn. The living species of Rhinos fall into two broad categories: the White Rhinos and the Black Rhinos. In the wild the Rhinos do not have any natural predators except humans, who have hunted rhinos for various reasons, so much so that the IUCN has listed them in the Endangered Species category. 1. Western Black Rhinoceros and the Woolly Rhinoceros fall into the extinct categories, which mean they are not found now on Earth. 2. Critically endangered are the Javan, Sumatran and Northern White Rhino. 3. The Indian rhino falls in the vulnerable category. 4. The White Rhinoceros are in the near threatened category. 1. WHITE RHINOCEROS: The white Rhinoceros has actually a grey body, and two sub-species fall in this category, the Southern White Rhino and the Northern White Rhino. The southern white rhino is the most abundant of all Rhino species with its calculated number in 2007 being 17,480. The northern White Rhino is in the critically endangered list with only four members in the wild and six held in captivity in San Diego and Kenya to restore the population. 2.BLACK RHINOCEROS: The Black Rhinoceros is native to South Africa and its numbers have reduced greatly due to human hunting, with 2410 being reported in 1995. 3. INDIAN RHINOCEROS: The Indian rhinoceros are one of the largest rhinos and were one of the most abundant species as well found in Pakistan, Nepal, China and India but due to excessive human influence in the form of hunting for use in medicine and ornament the numbers have reduced a lot so much so that only a few species are now found in Assam India and only limited pairs live in Kaziranga National Park in Pakistan. 4. JAVAN RHINOCEROS: The Javan Rhinoceros is much endangered sub-species, with only sixty reported to be found in Vietnam in 2007 and the last Rhino killed in Vietnam in 2010. According to a survey conducted in 2009, there were as few as 40 in Indonesia. 5. SUMATRAN RHINOCEROS: When compared in size with other Rhinos, the Sumatran Rhinos are the smallest of all and are also one of the most critically endangered due to environment change and their killing; it is believed that only 275 of Sumatran Rhinos remain. The rhinos have become one of the endangered species in the world due to many reasons. The most important and crucial factor behind Rhino extinction is being poached. Many countries have made strict laws against poaching of rhinos but still a very small number of poachers have yet been encountered resulting in no influence to stop rhinos from being hunted. According to an estimate in Zimbabwe, only 3% of poachers have reported to have been encountered which shows how alarming the situation of poaching Rhinos has become. It has been shown that Nepal has been the only country which has successfully encountered the problem of poaching and the most number of Rhinos, 69% of all those found elsewhere are found in Nepal. The most alarming figures of rhino hunting have been reported from South Africa with an estimate showing 333 Rhinos being killed in 2010and the number increasing to 1004 in 2013. Rhino horns which consist only of Keratin are widely used in Asian medicine as life -saving drugs, most prominently they are used in traditional Chinese medicine and the practitioners do not accept the use of other substitutes in place of these horns which they use in powdered form. China has signed a pact by the name of CITES and removed rhinoceros horn from the Chinese Pharmacopeia in 1993 the Chinese government condemns the use of rhino horn in pharmaceutical products. The reduction, if not total stopping from killing rhinos for their horns might be helpful in saving the species that now remain. The WWF also condemns the legalization of rhino horn trade for medicinal and other uses as a threat against the sustainability of this large and amazing animal. Another big reason for rhino population decrease is the habitat loss due to human invasion. As the human population is increasing, it is reducing forests and natural lands for its own use including housing and farming etc. This has become a threat for the survival of a large group of animals including Rhinos. Many wild life conservation organizations have come into play to counter the extinction of many animals including the Rhinos. Organizations like World Wildlife Foundation and African wildlife Foundation are playing useful roles in spreading awareness among public in countries with Rhino populations towards Rhino protection and how crimes against this species can be stopped by making the public realize that rhino horns have no use in drugs and pharmacy just like human nails and hair as they are made from the same material, which is Keratin. Moreover, sanctuaries have been made in Kenya and some other countries to keep the rhino population safe from poachers and illegal hunters and allowing them to live and breed in a hope to get an increase the rhino number which is hopeless right now. Many celebrities in China and elsewhere are playing their role in awakening the public towards the conversation of rhino population. If proper steps are not taken for the conservation of this great animal, our generations to come might only be able to see a Rhino in their text books and other images. Summary Rhinoceros are a group of ungulates characterized by their large body mass and keratinized layers of skin with one or two horns, depending on the type of species to make them vulnerable to attack by the ferocious predator, which are human beings. The Rhinoceros are listed in the endangered species list of the IUCN, categorizing them in five types, Western Black Rhinoceros and the Woolly Rhinoceros which are the extinct types, the White Rhino which is critically endangered, the vulnerable Indian Rhino, the White Rhino which is Near Threatened. THE WHITE RHINO includes the Southern and Northern Rhino with the Southern being most abundant having 17,480 rhinos as of 2007 and the Northern Rhino having only four animals in the wild and six in captivity in San Diego and Kenya. THE BLACK RHINO is native to South Africa with its number being greatly reduced to 2,410 in 1995. The Indian rhino was once an abundant species but now its numbers are greatly reduced and restricted to Assam in India and in Kaziranga Zoo in Pakistan. The Java Rhino is the most endangered with only 40 reported in Indonesia in 2009. The Samatran Rhinos are the smallest of all types and to date only 275 fremain due to poaching and hunting. The reason behind drastic decrease in Rhino population is due to the fact that they are being poached excessively for their horns and these horns are being used for medicinal purposes. It is a myth that rhino horns are excellent cures for diseases like cancer which is a misconception. For this reason, rhino horns have been used in Ancient Chinese Medicine since long, and rhinos have been hunted down to get the horns. In 1993, China signed a treaty by the name of CITES condemning the use of rhino for medicinal use and many practitioners of this form of medicine agreed not to use rhino horns in drugs. To this time still, hunting of Rhinos for horns has been reported in China and elsewhere which needs to be encountered on serious grounds to help the animal avoid extinction. Various organizations such as the WWF and AWF are working in various countries for the preservation of endangered species to avoid them from becoming extinct. They create awareness in the public by clearing the misconception that horns of rhinos are just the same in chemical composition as human nails or hair and hence not useful at all medicinally. Moreover, AWF is actively involved in setting up wild life sanctuaries for preserving these animals. Read More