On a serious note, in case you aren’t aware of it, there is a huge crisis afoot with the world’s rhino populations, because of demonstrably false claims about the health benefits of rhino horn (e.g. curing cancer) leading to a surge in its value worldwide, and thereby a massive upswing in poaching- as well as theft of museum specimens(!?). It may just be a matter of time before zoos’ and safari parks’ rhinos outside of Africa/Asia get hit, too. If sustained, this poaching could wipe out multiple rhino species in a matter of years; it is that severe and seems to already be worse this year than it was last year- and that was a Very Bad Year for rhinos.
However, a lot of people are uniting against the cruel greed and gross ignorance that has fueled the decline of rhinos, and public support seems to be growing. You can contribute, too; one example is this cause, or this one, to name but two. I’ve tried to make this my #1 cause, both on personal/ethical and scientific grounds (e.g. our work on rhino foot mechanics, health and care, to be detailed here later), and have been educating myself about it.
Anatomist extraordinaire Professor Larry Witmer of Ohio University has been contributing scientifically to helping rhinos, in an unexpected (but very sensible) way. This is a perfect example of how important basic science is; if we didn’t know rhino horn/nose anatomy we’d be less able to treat problems when they arise, and such problems can come from unexpected directions. His team’s contributions in the understanding of rhino anatomy are helping in one horrible case (see video below), in which three rhinos had their horns slashed off (along with part of the top of their skulls!) and two have survived so far. The vets in South Africa are trying to treat these two mutilated animals, and Larry’s group has been providing anatomical advice along with superb pictures on their Facebook page, which I want to publicize here because it is such GREAT freezer-based anatomical science and stunning imagery, and a seriously urgent cause. Please take a look. And while you’re at it, check out the Kariega Game Reserve’s Facebook page with more info on the plight of poor Themba and Thandi.
Edit: also check out this great story on our research, by Ann and Steve Toon, rhino conservationists/photographers/journalists.
Awful. I rarely wish harm on another human being but I could make an exception for the people that do this sort of thing. It would be bad enough if rhino horn (and tiger penis, bat wing, newt eye) were actually effective panaceas because you might be able to go some way toward justifying this, but the fact that it has been shown that these things don’t help one bit just makes it worse.
Grrr.
Yeah, it’s hard to watch, and I’m sure vastly harder for the people on the ground that are actually on the front lines. They’ve got to deal with the corruption, the frustrating socio-political inertia, the sometimes murderous, violent, well-armed criminality of the poachers, and seeing the carnage firsthand, to name but a few tough aspects. I have huge respect for those defenders of rhinos.
When I was a keeper at the Oklahoma City Zoo I chaired the bowling for rhinos fundraiser which raises money and awareness for rhino conservation. AZA zoos across the US participate in this event and have raised millions dollars towards rhino conservation. The money foes directly to reserves and national parks in Africa, India and Indonesia. this type of research is imperative to rhino conservation. Good on ya for the work you do.
Thanks very much, that means a lot to me! We’re trying to do what we can to help. Wish we could do even more– the global/political/cultural dimensions of the rhino crisis are staggering and time is short!
Reblogged this on Zoo and Tell.
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