Rhinoceroses - Habitat
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Picture source:
Hedweb Rhinos
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In Africa Rhinoceroses inhabit savannas with grassland, water and mud wallows, and the edges of wooded areas. The White Rhino is the largest pure grazer; it needs large territories. In Asia the Sumatran and Javan Rhinos live in dense tropical forests.
Rhinoceroses - Predators
Lions, crocodiles and hyenas are dangerous for baby Rhinoceroses. No animal is a match for an adult Rhino with its armored body and lethal horn, except human poachers.
Rhinoceroses - Protection
In the early 1970s Rhinoceroses were poached to the brink of extinction. Having found the situation alarming, the African Wildlife Foundation eliminated the legal horn trade and began the public awareness campaign on Rhino conservation in East Asian countries that consumed Rhino horn. These measures didn't work, the poaching continued. While dehorning the animals seems to be a logical solution, the poachers kill dehorned Rhinos just to avoid tracking them in vain.
Finally AWF discovered that the only way to protect the Rhinoceros is to build sanctuaries. Nowadays the population of Rhinos slowly increases; they are reintroduced to Botswana, Uganda and Zambia - their former ranges. These places are fenceless, but patrolled. Conservationists developed a tracking system using Rhino footprints and microchips with identification numbers, inserted in Rhinos' horns. With all these measures AWF hopes to mix the wild and released populations of Rhinoceroses in the nearest future.
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Picture source:
Hedweb Rhinos
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Rhinoceroses - Conservation Links
Animal Bytes: Rhinoceros - Meet the Rhinoceroses of the San Diego zoo.
Black Rhinoceros - Windy City's Lincoln Park Zoo compiles details on this mighty animal. See a photo and read about special adaptations and its endangered status.
Capture and Care Manual - Tips on the capture techniques of Rhinos.
Conservation genetics of the Black Rhinoceros - Presents the problems of conservation.
Creature Feature - Read about the black rhinoceroses reaction to threats and how they use their horns. Includes video and audio of this animal.
Discovery Channel Cam - Watch live views of black rhinos at the Pittsburgh Zoo.
Ecology and Conservation - Describes some species of Rhinos.
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Picture source:
Hedweb Rhinos
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Endangered in the Wild - Learn why Rhinos are endangered and what steps have been taken to protect them.
Last Of The White Rhinos - Presents the today's situation with White Rhinos in Africa.
Oregon Zoo - Read the story of a baby rhino, Imara, who is the first black rhino born in the Pacific Northwest.
Research - Tells about extinct and today's species of Rhinoceroses.
Sabah State Library - Sumatran Rhinoceros - Read of the rare animal and find out how the Malaysian government works to protect the remaining individuals.
Science News - Rarest of the Rare, Javan Rhinoceros - Janet Raloff reports on the conservation efforts in saving the rare Javan rhinoceros from extinction.
Science/Nature - BBC Service tells about distribution and reproduction of Rhinos.
SOS Rhino - This site is provided by a non-profit foundation dedicated to the preservation of all five rhinoceros species. Includes current rhino news, a FAQ section, and videos about conservation actions.
The Fight of Survival - This site describes how the demand for rhinoceroses' horns endanger their existence and how the Southern Africa Regional Program is working to save the animal. Use the links on the left to advance through the pages.
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Picture source:
Africa on the Matrix
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White Rhinos Rebound From Extinction - Present plans for conservation and management of Rhinos.
Wild Ones, The - Indian Rhino - Describes the composition and black market value of the rhino's horn. Includes audio files of rhino calls.
World Conservation Monitoring Centre - Sumatran Rhino - Presents tables detailing the decline of the species in several Southeast Asian countries. Provides a raft of references.
Zoogoer - This site explains the dangers facing rhinoceroses and the steps being taken to help preserve them. Use the links at the left to read more.
