Another rhino species, the Northern White Rhino is almost extinct and only 6 remain on the planet. Kenya’s Suni, a male northern white rhino, from Ol Pejeta Conservancy, has died. This leaves only 6, with only 1 of them being male.
Poachers are killing rhinos of all species at an alarming rate. During the past few years, the Western Black Rhinoceros became extinct. These majestic animals are killed for their horn, which is made of keratin, the same stuff that comprises your finger nails. Traditional Asian medicine touts powdered rhino horn as an aphrodisiac and medicine for other ailments.
There are 5 sub-species of rhinoceros – black and white rhinos in Africa, and Indian, Javan and Sumatran in Asia. There are only a few dozen of the latter 2 species remaining, and only a few thousand of the other 3. A century ago, there were 500,000 rhinos across Africa and Asia. The decline in numbers is due to greed and nothing else.
Kruger National Park has just arrested 14 people for poaching in their world renowned game park a few days ago. The good news is that poachers are getting caught, and tossed into jail. Kenya is making strides in tracking poachers using drones and dogs, among other techniques. The bad news is that poaching continues.
What can you do? Follow organizations like International Rhino Foundation or Save the Rhino, share in social media, march in rallies to raise awareness and support conservancies if you can.
