Black Rhinoceros.docx

Black Rhinoceros Written By: Joseph Salinas Date: February 20, 2023 Class: English 1302-32702 Professor: Prof. Mike Opolicky

Outline Black Rhinoceros I. Introduction a) Why I became interested in the Black Rhinoceros b) What two threats do they face c) Two groups protecting the population d) Chances of Survival II. Characteristics a) Features of the Black Rhino b) Where they live and living conditions III. Threats a) Poaching b) Biological problems IV. Conservation a) Two groups trying to save the black rhino b) Their impact c) Personal assistance V. Conclusion 1 Salinas

a) Is This Animal Expected to Survive? Introduction Interest in the black rhino came after watching a nature documentary on species in Africa that are on the verge of disappearing. There are approximately about 5,500 black rhinos in the world, with most living in the South of Africa (Huijbregts). The group is considered one of the oldest living mammals in the world. Being the oldest means that they are the most sought-after. Poaching is the reason for the population decline of the black rhino (Huijbregts). In Asian countries, it is believed that rhino horns have health benefits, and they have been used for thousands of years as remedies (Huijbregts). The decline in numbers is also why they are going extinct because, with fewer rhinos, the chances of DNA mutations are higher, leading to complications when babies are born (Huijbregts). One of the groups helping the black rhino population is the World Wildlife Fund (WWF). They are helping by tracking down people who participate in the illegal trading of animals and poaching (Huijbregts). WWF does this by partnering with governments to bring the best results. Namibia, Kenya, and South Africa's governments have partnered with WWF and used their tracking technology to spot poachers near the black rhino communities (Huijbregts). WWF trains officers and rangers to track poachers and handle them when in contact. Another is Save the Rhino International. They do the same thing WWF does. They go into communities and inform people of the species, what problem to look out for, and how they can help (Save the Rhino). The group also helps track poachers, so they can be prosecuted and 2 Salinas

reduce the risk of them attacking black rhinos again (Save the Rhino). They do this by using dogs to track the people who hurt them. The black rhino is critically endangered, meaning they are "Facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the Wild" (Huijbregts). With this definition, it might seem highly unlikely that the black rhino will survive in the wild for much longer, but this is not the case. Conservations and laws protecting the black rhinos are working hard, and it is working. As National Geographic put it, the "Current population trend: Increasing" (National Geographic) means that all the work is working, and they will survive in the wild. Characteristics The scientific name of the black rhino is Diceros Bicornis and translated to "Di," meaning "two," "cerato," meaning "horn" in Greek and "bi," meaning "two," and "cornis," meaning "horn" in Latin" (Save the Rhino). While the name of the rhino includes black, they are gray. The color black is used to distinguish the shape of their lips, a pointy triangular top lip that is used to help them grab leaves and fruits from tall trees (National Geographic). Out of other species of rhinos, they are the smallest, with males weighing about 2976.241 pounds and females 1984.16 pounds (Save the Rhino). They have gray skin, hair in their eyes, ears, and tail, and two horns that grow throughout their life, with their front horn averaging about 19 inches (Save the Rhino). They tend to be more active at night to avoid the heat. The black rhinos live in the east and southern regions of Africa. This consists of Kenya, South Africa, Nabimia, and Zimbabwe (Save the Rhino). They live in areas with bushes, fruits, and a water source. They are semi-sociable beings sharing with the community and interacting 3 Salinas

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