Black Rhino
saving rhinos
ON OUR SAVANNA Dr. James Danoff-Burg, Director of Conservation
As we get closer to opening our new Rhino
Savanna habitat, it is important to share how having rhino on our grounds furthers the conservation of rhino in Africa. The connection is much more direct than it may seem at first glance! But first, we must delve into the challenges that are facing rhino, as they help us determine how we must move forward.
Five Species – One Major Threat The world’s five rhino species are in trouble, with three of the species recognized as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Their main threat? Humans. Poachers who brutally butcher the still-living animal for their horn imperil all five of these rhino species – from the savannas of Africa to the tropical forests of Southeast Asia. The demand for rhino horn is intense, as it is thought to be of "medicinal value" for a great diversity of ills. However, none of these "perceived medicinal values" has ever been supported by reliable medical research. In fact, rhino horn is made
of keratin, the same as that of our fingernails, and equally not valuable for curing health woes. The illegal trade of rhino horn around the world has driven these species to near-extinction. Rhino horn is more valuable by weight than gold, diamonds, or cocaine. The massive demand, high price, and illegality means that the only people who are selling or moving rhino horn internationally are criminals. Rhino horn is trafficked in the same way, and often in the same shipments, as guns, drugs, and human trafficking. Three countries have the dubious honor of purchasing the greatest amount of illegal rhino horn – Vietnam, China, and the USA. In the United States, it is the large port cities that have the greatest demands, with Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Seattle-Tacoma, and New York being where most trafficking confiscations occur. Fortunately for The Living Desert, we are perfectly located in Southern California to work with our visitors to take actions to stop this terrible enterprise. 11
