Save the Rhinos!
Rhino poaching in Africa is out of control. Every 19.7 hours, another Rhino is brutally slain by poachers for it's horn. Currently, there are only 4 Northern White Rhinos left in the wild in the entire World. It is considered virtually extinct. In in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya anti-poaching rangers who are armed and ordered to shoot to kill are standing guard over these remaining few white rhinos. Something must be done NOW to stop the poaching, we cannot afford to turn our heads another minute to this travesty.
Fueling this devastation is a huge spike in demand for rhino horns, used for bogus cancer cures, hangover remedies and good luck charms in China and Vietnam. Protests from South Africa have so far been ignored by the authorities, but Europe has the power to change this by calling for a ban on all rhino trade -- from anywhere, to anywhere -- when countries meet at the next crucial international wildlife trade summit in July in Brussels.
Also reacting to the devastation/extinction of the northern white rhino and other rhino species, Sir Richard Branson of the Virgin Mobile/Airlines dynasty fame is calling for an immediate meeting of all the parties of CITES. (CITES [the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora] is an international agreement between world governments. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.)
Branson is calling on the members of CITES to organize an emergency meeting with a single agenda point: To put all possible measures in place to stop the out-of control poaching of rhino. See the Richard Branson petition below for details on what this would involve.
The Northern White Rhinoceros ~
The Northern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), formerly found in several countries in East and Central Africa south of the Sahara, is considered Critically Endangered or Extinct in the Wild. Recent research has suggested that the northern white rhinoceros might be a distinct species, and should therefore be renamed Ceratotherium cottoni. Distinct morphological and genetic differences suggest that the two proposed species have been separated for at least a million years.
As of 2006, there were only four northern white rhinos left in the wild according to the World Wide Fund for Nature. However, in June 2008 it was reported that the subspecies could be extinct in the wild since none of these four known remaining individuals has been seen since 2006.
On 20 November a herd of 4 northern white rhinos from Dvůr Králové Zoo was transported to Kenya. The Czech Dvůr Králové Zoo was the world's only zoo where northern white rhinos reproduced offspring. But as the last offspring were born in 2000, the zoo management decided to stimulate the Rhino's sexual appetite by putting them back into their natural habitat. The agreement with Kenya government expects the Rhinos never to be returned to the Czech Republic. Reportedly they are supposed to be heavily guarded to ensure safety from poachers. The northern white rhino formerly ranged over parts of north-western Uganda, southern Chad, south-western Sudan, the eastern part of Central African Republic, and north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Poachers reduced their population from 500 to 15 in the 1970s and 1980s. From the early 1990s through mid 2003, the population recovered to more than 32 animals. Surveys in 2000 indicated that the population had started recovering, with 30 animals confirmed in 2000, and possibly six others. Since mid-2003, poaching had intensified and reduced the wild population to only 5 to 10 animals (7 actual count worldwide). Source - Wikipedia
Please take a minute to sign the petitions below:
There are only four, Just four of white rhinos remaining in the WORLD!
A team of four fantastic men anti-poaching permanently protects a Northern white rhino (cottoni simum) in Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya.
Photo by Brent Stirton.
VIDEO White Rhino
PETITIONS
EMERGENCY! Support Sir Richard Branson's call on CITES to meet NOW and stop Rhino Poaching
This is beyond comprehension, to let the rhino's go extinct, we are fighting now, forget the Government they don't seem to understand.
It is a crime and has to be stopped.
Please save the white Rhino. man is always killing every thing in site, STOP this sensels killings, P L E A S E.
Are these poachers idiots??? They kill off these animals and will have nothing!!! I am so against these people poaching, it is a crime and should be dealt with accordingly!!!
I read here on the National Geographic Site that there are around 11,000 white rhinos surviving in the wilderness-still an endangered species....who is correct?
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/white-rhinoceros/
How many species are we going to allow to go extinct before we realize it is a crime, we are not the only species on this planet and should not treat it as such, or kill another for a trophy.
Kat - I could be wrong, but since the article also says that "Every 19.7 hours, another Rhino is brutally slain by poachers for it's horn" that the Northern White Rhino may be a subspecies that is on the brink, but there are other subspecies - also endangered of course. I just find it incomprehensible that a supposedly educated and modern nation still believes in primitive tribal superstition. Rhino 'horn' is made of the same material as hair - there is no medicine or magic - it's sole purpose in the universe is to decorate the nose of the rhino who grew it :-(
I dont get this! Why is killing something a sport? Why do we need to kill to feel like a "real" man? If killing is such a sport how come the animals dont know about it? We dont need to hunt deers,rabbits, rhinos, lion, tigers etc for food and it sure doesnt impress many people to see a while innocent animals hung up dead! Oh ya thats a real man/person. Get over it, the stone age is gone and we dont need to do this now!! This has to be stopped.
Why Do Not Humans Hunt Pedophiles Into Extinction? Stupid Fucking Humans Must Be Stopped!
Stop killing the rhinos if there are only 4 left, it's a no brainer!
Stop the killing of the all of the rhinos
I just cannot believe that this is regarded as a sport. I don't know what else I can really add to the above remarks. Just an utter feeling of hopelessness. Please please let these animals stay safe and with a lot of luck reproduce, but it will take decades to even get into double figures should they be so lucky.
Poachers of ANY wild animal should be SHOT AND KILLED, on the spot. The poaching of animals and body parts for human use that is said to provide medicinal advantages comes from a society/civilization that is uneducated, unwarranted, unproven and undeniably heinous. Please STOP this!
Stop this madness now and save the rhino, once they are gone it is forever. The rhino have a right to their lives in peace. We (humans) are the worst thing that happened to this planet.
Stop killing our wild life...we are all living on this planet and we need each other. You are throwing of the Balance of Life as we know it. The Life's you save Maybe your own...Save our Wild life. We all Play a Part in this world.
Sad ...goes to show that the most dangerous animal indeed is mankind
STOP IT NOW!!!!
Absoutely ridicolous, now that only 4 are alive.
And it will go on like this with other species as well. I'm pretty sure.
Not enough will be done to prevent other species from extinction.
Only when they're gone we will get, what we have lost.
NOt only are the mesures against poachers not adequat, also for big companies like DOW chemical or BP or Tepco.... These responsible Managers and CEO will never be punished enough.
OMG we need to save them! Only 4!
We will support anything that doesn't matter...let's put our money where our mouths are and support something that REALLY matters!!! Don't let the pouchers get the last 4 white rhinos!!
If it were you, what would you do?
this is sad how many more animals before its to late well i signed and shared hope it helps
On the question of the number remaining, the following from Wikipedia:
"Following the phylogenetic species concept, recent research has suggested the northern white rhinoceros may be an altogether different species, rather than a subspecies of white rhinoceros, in which case the correct scientific name for the former is Ceratotherium cottoni. Distinct morphological and genetic differences suggest the two proposed species have been separated for at least a million years."
Its so sad that man is killing all of these beautiful creatures that were put on this earth for a reason. What is man going to kill when they are no more wild animals left: each other for sport perhaps?
How disgusting can people be?? Its sad how the human race has turned,they should be ashamed of themselves...
This is truly appalling. How are we allowing this sort of thing to happen? We need to protect each and every species on this earth, before it is too late.
Once they are gone, they are gone. Please help.
This is a Horrible Travesty that CAN be avoided! We need to leave our Children & Theirs some animals to see for themselves...not just in Pictures! Save these Noble & Beautiful creatures!
This is how man can be soo cruel & only think of him self for his betterment. So sad how soo many animals that live freely for soo long has got soo less. Why did it take ppl soo long to understand this and now come up with a plan to protect these animals. Well it's better now than late right.. I hope we can truly save these animals from Human Animals..
With only for animals left of this rhino subspecies, they are gone.
Stoppa mördandet av oskyldiga djur!
Kristina Skilberg
Killing of any Wild Animal should be dealt with accordingly!! Its like Killing a Human Being because the Wild Animals are our Brothers and Sisters on a Different Ladder of Evolution. Lets Stop It!!!!
Please stop this inhumane, brutal, senseless attack on these innocent creatures.
Wildlife are here on Earth for our pleasure, not our destruction,. We are their protectors, guardians, and helpers. We need to accept responsibility for their preservation, or we will be doomed to a great loss on this earth and in our souls. Helen Kehn
these animals and other large animals that are poached need some sort of collar that has smart phone technology built in, that contacts park rangers, gives exact location,starts recording and filming on detection of any loud noise (ie gunshots) an armed rapid response unit could then board a helicopter and be at the scene as soon as is possible, giving the poachers no time to remove the horn/ivory and make their escape. Surely the technology exists to do this....
Please save the white Rhino.
Ronnie Danielsson
Vasteras, Sweden
It will be a sad day when there are no more white rhino's left. We need to protect them and all wildlife before it's all gone.
Shoot the poachers, the only way to deal with them. Also prosecute all those found in possession of these trophies. No excuse for killing these magnificent animals. Shame on the people who are behind this trade!
PREDATORS, MURDERERS TRY TO SAVE THEIR CONSCIENCE AND THE FUTURE OF YOUR CHILD. NO MORE MASSACRE TO INNOCENT ANIMALS. TRY TO BE HUMAN.FOR ONCE IN THE LIFE
Please please please save the white Rhino !!!
Austria