Macandog 1

Lovely Macandog

Wing

Pre AP English 10 H

7 March 2018

A Cry for Help

Among the wooded grasslands of Africa, the blazing sun beams inescapable heat to the

habitants below. A wrinkly, stone colored creature lies down in the cool shade beneath the leaves

and branches of an acacia tree. Swaying its tail back and forth, the creature sluggishly munches

on a pile of dry grass and twigs. Its black, beady eyes stare blankly for a few moments before

slowly blinking into a light slumber. But, just as fast as it fell asleep, the animal awakens and

begins to stand. The hefty animal suddenly turns around and starts to run in a galloping, horse-

like manner and its large nostrils flare. Surrounded by acres and acres of endless grassland, the

rhino almost appears to be smiling happily with its naturally hooked lips. Just moments pass by

and the animal comes to an abrupt halt when it approaches what seems to be a large mud puddle.

The rhino gradually trudges into the wet sludge and flops on its side, letting out a snort and

rolling back and forth in the relief of the cool mud. Now, caked in layers of lumpy dirt, the

rhino’s tail swings contently, splashing the muddy water back and forth.

A deteriorating species struggles for the privilege of merely existing. A right to live.

Among these incalculable, vanishing species is the Black Rhino. By means of exploring their

ways of life and thoroughly learning more about why they are endangered and what steps can be

taken to solve this, is just the beginning of saving such a cherished species on Earth.
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The black rhino, or Diceros bicornis, meaning “two horn” in Greek and Latin, branches

into a further categorization of four types: Southern Central (Diceros bicornis minor), Eastern

black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli), South Western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis),

and lastly, the Western black rhino (Diceros bicornis longipes). Unfortunately, the last sighting

of the Western black rhino was in 2006 and the few remaining Western black rhino in Cameroon

were gradually killed by poachers. Dejectedly, in 2011, the species was professed extinct by the

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Black Rhino, though physically gray, are unceasingly declining at an extremely fast

rate on the critically endangered species list. The WWF points out that, “Between 1960 and

1955, black rhino numbers dropped by a sobering 98%.” These mammals, originating in the

southern African roots of Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Malawi, Zambia, and

Namibia, persist their existence on Earth with a lingering population of only 5,000 or less.

(WorldWildlifeFund). This typically two horned animal, like their white rhino relatives, are gray

in color despite their specified name. The most differentiating contrast between the two rhinos

are their lips. While the black rhino has a pointed upper lip, the white rhino usually possess a

square one in relation to their eating habits.

This hook-lipped rhino, though conceivably difficult to distinguish from the white rhino,

can be recognized by their smaller size of 4.5 to 6 feet in height and 1,800 to 3,100 pounds. Like

all rhino species, black rhino have three toes which mark deep imprints in the ground, replicating

their bigger front feet and smaller back feet. Compared to the white rhino, they have a smaller

head, less noticeable hump on the hind of their necks, and the only hair emergent is on their ears,

eyelashes, and the tips of their tail. When distinguishing between a male and a female rhino, the

male naturally has a thicker horn whereas a female commonly has a lengthier and skinnier horn.
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Both male and female rhinos have two horns which continuously grow from the base of the skin,

much like a human fingernail. This horn typically grows at a rate of up to 3 inches in a single

year. The horn in the front of their head is generally longer than the horn behind it, averaging at a

length of about 50 centimeters. Their horns are made up of extremely strong and durable

material. This material is a type of protein called keratin which is also what horse hooves,

cockatoo bills, turtle beaks, human hair, and fingernails are made up of. Despite these horns

appearing indestructible, they can be destroyed or split during battles.

Habitually, rhinos seek areas thriven enough to support their needs for a healthy amount

of shrubs, woody herb, and sufficient plant life. Their hooked lips, earlier mentioned, help them

obtain their nourishment which consists of woody plants, twigs, leaves, trees, bushes, and fruit,

due to their herbivorous diet. Black rhinos typically feed during the night or at dusk and dawn.

During the hottest hours of the day is when they are the least dynamic and look for shade

underneath trees, big rocks, or mud wallows. Furthermore, these herbivores tend to try and find a

residence near a water source and a mineral lick, or salt lick, for essential nutrients.

Black rhinos vary between being unsociable and defensive, or semi-social and not as

hostile, depending on where the rhino lives. It was widely believed that rhinos were firmly

introverted animals, however, a recent video screening a group of rhinos gathering sociably,

proved that belief otherwise. While both male and female rhinos tend to remain introverted, there

are dominant and subordinate animals among the males. The young rhinos, called bulls, and old

males unable to protect themselves are commonly killed or hurt in violent interactions, or

restrained to a small space until they die. Due to the rhino’s poor eyesight, communication

between each other consists of scent marking with urine spraying. This method is also used by

males attempting to mark their territory. These urine sprays, along with dung piles, can be
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located by water tracks and feeding grounds. Head rubbing is another scent-marking technique

which leaves distinctive scents against rocks or trees. Additional forms of communication

between rhinos are sniffing, snorting, and grunting. Fortunately, their great sense of smell and

hearing make up for their poor vision (SaveTheRhino).

When a female rhino reaches the age of about 3.5-4 years, she reaches sexual maturity

and can have her first calf. At the conclusion of the gestation period, 15-17 months long, the

female rhino gets ready to calve and looks for a private, protected spot to birth. Within a couple

of hours, the newborn calf is able to stand. Calves remain with their mother for about 2-4 years

which is when they are then rejected and the mother is prepared to calve for a second time. Six to

eight months after the next calf is born, the mother may possibly accept her previous calf.

However, the first calf usually establishes their own territory by then.

Unfortunately, the rhino is a high targeted species because of their horn. Poachers hunt

and kill the animals for horn based products and highly treasured cultural medicinal purposes.

These medicinal uses involve remedies usually carried out by consumers in China, Taiwan,

Hong Kong, Vietnam, and Singapore. The process needed to be executed in order to obtain a

rhino’s horn is one that is very slow and excruciatingly painful. Poachers must tranquilize the

rhino and remove their horn. When the rhino wakes up, that is, if they wake up, bleed to death

helplessly and insufferably. Though poaching is a key factor in the Black Rhino’s path to

becoming extinct, habitat loss is yet but another threat to the already struggling populace. In

addition to this, political conflict has also had an influence. The political instability in some

places makes it easy for the rhino to be hunted and killed.

Luckily, actions are being taken to help preserve the Black Rhino. There are sanctuaries,

reserves, parks, and conservation programs which focus in on the common goal of helping the
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rhino thrive. The Save the Rhino organization is continuously tracing potential illegal horn trade

and markets, and works towards spreading the word about the endangered rhino. Getting

involved can be as simple as donating money towards anti-poaching equipment or organizations,

fundraising, reporting potential illegal horn trade activity, or merely raising awareness

(SaveTheRhino).

Only through attentiveness, incentive, and genuine compassion, can the Black Rhino be

saved from extinction. Through education about the species and fast action, it is confidently

probable. This needed change can begin with driven young people, children, animal lovers,

zoologists, or truly anyone. Taking further steps in protecting and replenishing the Black Rhino

species is vital for its existence. However, under the tragic circumstances where the needed

precautions and steps are not taken, will the Black Rhino end their period on Earth, and thus, be

wiped out forever. Saving the Black Rhino begins with the people who put in the effort to be the

voice of the species who cannot save themselves.

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Works Cited

Black Rhino. Animal Planet, 2018, www.animalplanet.com. Accessed 6 Feb. 2018.

Black Rhinoceros. Kids National Geographic, 2018, www.kids.nationalgeographic.com.

Accessed 6 Feb. 2018.

Save the Rhino. Save the Rhino International, 2018, www.savetherhino.org. Accessed 6 Feb.

2018.

The Black Rhinoceros: Is There Hope, Again? Nikela Helping People Saving Wildlife, 2017,

www.nikela.org. Accessed 6 Feb. 2018.

WWF. World Wildlife Fund, 2018, www.worldwildlife.org. Accessed 6 Feb. 2018.