Documented Argument Essay: Poaching In Africa

The white rhino is an amazing creature but unfortunately it is extremely endangered and that is why i have chosen to write about it, and tell you that it is time to help.

The white rhinoceros and the Asian elephant possess many similar characteristics, including the way they look, yet also possess many differences such as the two continents they live on. There are five living species of rhino (black, white, Indian, Javan and Sumatran) and only two of the elephant (African and the Asian). All are in jeopardy of extinction with their slow rate of breeding, poaching and in the rhinoceroses, their territorial behavior.

Regulated trophy hunting in Africa is helping conservation efforts. In 1895, there were fewer than 50 White Rhinos left in the world. In 1968 when their numbers increased to a little less than 2,000, the South African Government started to allow regulated trophy hunting. Now

Evidence shows that we cannot put an exact figure that will completely end the Rhinoceros poaching issue because we have not found a suitable way that can stop the poaching, ways have been developed to reduce the number of Rhinoceros killings but not put a stop to it.

Animal poaching has a bigger price tag than the trophy sitting on the shelf. Poaching is causing iconic animals of many continents and of our oceans to become endangered or even extinct. These animals that people have come to love and fantasize over may be gone before we are (Africa). Elephants, rhinos, lions, and zebras are the animals thought of the most when it comes to animal poaching, but many animals are poached. They are killed for only one quality, like their horns or skins and the rest of the animal is left behind. Poaching is a massive business that is ran by international networks, it’s estimated to make hundreds of millions of dollars (World). Not all wildlife trade is illegal, but it becomes a crisis when an increasing amount of illegal poaching is done and it directly threatens the survival of species in the wild (World). Since 1960 97.6% of the Black Rhino population in Africa has been poached and lions are extinct in seven African countries (Africa).

One species that is in decline is the Black Rhino. The black rhino is endangered due to European hunters. It was routine for five or six rhinos to be killed per day for food and even for amusement (Black Rhino, n.d.). Another reason black rhinos are in decline is because they have two horns, with the front horn being longer than the rear horn. This makes them popular targets for the illegal trade in rhino horn. Today, black rhinos remain critically endangered due to the increasing demand for rhino horn.

The maintenance of genetically viable populations of endangered animals is the upmost concern of zoos and aquaria around the world (Berkeley, Kirkpatrick, Schaffer, Bryant, & Threlfall, 1997). The success of captive populations is important as they can serve to repopulate the species if the wild population becomes too endangered and serve to educate the public about the plight of the species (Kobus, 2011; Tubbs, Hartig, Cardon, Varga, & Milnes, 2012). The wild populations of rhinoceroses are quite successful at reproducing and are increasing their population numbers, but the captive population of Southern White Rhinoceros is not sustaining itself (Berkeley et al., 1997; Carlstead & Brown, 2005). Female’s born in captivity show the appropriate

Satao – the world’s largest African elephant and one of the last surviving ‘great tuskers’ was found dead in Tsavo National Park, Kenya in June 2014. Satao was famous for its huge tusks that reached down to the ground. The carcass of 45-year-old elephant with its face mutilated and great tusks hacked off was left for vultures and scavengers. Poachers had killed Satao with poisoned arrows for the ivory that weighed over 100 pounds. According to the data provided by Landmark Analysis, poachers seeking ivory had killed more than 100,000 African elephants in just three years. One of the largest mass elephant slaughter in decades took place in Cameroon, in 2012 where poachers using Ak47s and grenades had killed more than 300 elephants. A

Nowadays, understanding about the general harmful effects of poaching on wildlife has become common knowledge. However, the severity and threat pertaining to poaching is still not well known to many. The presenter informed us that poaching has become so dangerous in South Africa that it's declared as an organized crime by the government. Presenter emphasizes that poachers have not only killed animals but also people attempting to stop these poaching attempts, as they live by the "shoot first, ask later" mentality. The reasoning behind these attacks on people and continuous slaughter of animals can be answered by the potential wealth in these animals. For example, the presenter claimed that White Rhino horns could sell up to $100,000 per kilogram, and this reward led to

Black rhinoceroses are often seen with oxpeckers. This is an example of mutualism as both parties benefit from the other. The colourful little bird eats all the insects and parasites on the rhino and thus has a supply of food. It is also protected from predators whilst on top of the rhino. In return, the rhino benefits as it no longer has bugs. The oxpecker also flies high and alerts the rhino of impending

Black rhinoceros is powerful land mammal but despite its strength and take no nonsenses attitude has declined in number and is threatened with extinction. There are approximately 11,0000 individuals of all five species surviving in small scattered populations throughout Africa and other Asians countries. The black rhino has suffered the most unseen decline in numbers and disappearing faster than any other large mammal. Black rhino were scattered across central, eastern, and southern Africa. In the early years of 1970s their numbers had declined to 65,000 and over the past 18 years

suffering. No other humans stopped to help. It seemed that the once magnificent Forest Animal was just a stone or stick to kick aside and forget.

In the 1970’s the Black rhinoceros’ (Diceros bicornis) population could be numbered at around 70,000 ("Black rhinoceros", 2016). Today there are fewer than 5,000 of these animals left due to overhunting and poaching ("Black rhinoceros", 2016). This literature review to highlights information relevant to conservation efforts with regards to the black rhino. It looks at relevant articles from four reputable journals and two films to establish pertinent information with regards to conservation efforts and obstacles via artificial insemination and embryo transfer, population dynamics, and disease. The articles will be listed in chronological order followed by the films also being discussed in chronological order, in order to establish event trend in conservation effort. The observation of the Black rhino is critical to establish data concerning reproductive trends, population sizes, natural predators, social habits, and etc. which may be used to help procure a sustainable population.

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) uses eight categories to classify animals (Pollock). The first category is extinction. Animals like the steller’s sea cow, Thylacine, and Przewalski’s horse all fall into this category (Pollock). These animals are classified as extinct because they have not been spotted in the wild for at least fifty years. Endangered animals such as the Red Wolf, Mountain Gorilla, and Mediterranean monk seal are all at risk of becoming extinct unless something is done to save them (Pollock). Animals like the Giant Anteater, Manatee, and Jaguar are all placed into the “vulnerable” category(Pollock). These animals are still numerous, but are under great threat. Animals found in only one or few places, or thinly spread over a larger area are considered “rare” (Pollock). Animals in this category consist of the Siberian White Crane, Komodo Dragon, and Kitti’s hog-nosed bat (Pollock).

This paper will ensue a descriptive knowledge of numbers and distribution of the elephant and rhinoceros examining the changes in population. It will also site the methods, including framework for improved forest governance, in which innovative, successful and lasting