“Few
animal species are more revered and admired than the rhinoceros. These gentle giants are renowned for their
grace, their dignity, and their ability to form close emotional bonds with one another. However,
the tragic news is that because of human greed, they may not continue to exist
on our planet for much longer.
“A
harmful myth that these animals’ horns contain medicinal properties has been
responsible for the progressive decline of the species in recent decades. In
reality, a rhino’s horn is composed of a protein called keratin (the same protein that
makes up human hair and nails) so any supposed ‘benefits’ that someone believes
they might derive from consuming the horn could be obtained by biting their own
fingernails. However, the myth of rhino horn’s purported ‘medicinal properties’
has had a devastating impact on the species.
“The Javan rhinoceros
was declared extinct in 2011, while the
Western Black rhinoceros suffered the same fate in 2013.
The Sumatran and Black Rhino subspecies
are currently classified as ‘critically endangered’ by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Following the death of Nola – one of
only four remaining Northern White Rhinos – last November, the outlook for this
subspecies is also looking extremely bleak. An average of three rhinos are killed for their
horns every single day.
“Park rangers and
wildlife protection workers are on the front lines of the fight against illegal
wildlife poaching. With armed poaching gangs constantly
on the lookout for opportunities to profit from the killing of endangered
animals, the brave individuals who have dedicated their lives to protecting
them must be ever-vigilant too. Anti-poaching teams such as the Black Mambas of South
Africa have achieved incredible success rates over the past few years, but
there is no doubt that their job can be incredibly difficult. Rangers and
wildlife protection officers sometimes lose their lives in the struggle to
protect endangered animals.
“The picture was taken
in the Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, South Africa,
and shows worker Lynne McTavish grieving for a rhino on the reserve who had
been tragically killed by poachers. Imgur user Speldhurst, who shared this
powerful photograph, said, ‘I have met
this woman and her team and they sacrifice everything they have daily in the
fight against poachers. I have seen them care for the very rhinos that are now
dead; with hourly patrols, daily counts and countless checkups. Their
selflessness and extraordinary kindness are like nothing else I’ve ever
experienced in my entire life.’ It is difficult for those of us who have never
worked on the frontline of the anti-poaching struggle to ever imagine the
sorrow that McTavish felt on learning that one of the rhinos she works so
passionately to save had been brutally killed.”
For the article, click here.
Rabbit’s Foot
ReplyDeleteMy son brings me
a rabbit’s foot.
“I feel sorry for the rabbit,” he says.
“Why would someone
want to cut off its leg?”
I feel hard pressed to answer,
and I want to tell him
about the elephants
that are mowed down with assault rifles,
and hacked-up
for ivory and figurines;
about the whales
that are harpooned and sliced-up
for pet food and perfumes;
about the pup seals
that are clubbed over their heads
and flayed like fish
for the furriers and the rich;
about the gorilla’s hands
that are chopped off
for knickknacks and ashtrays;
and the rhinos’ horns
that are sawed off
for table ornaments and aphrodisiacs…
Instead, I tell him,
“It dies for good luck.”
-Glen Brown
(11/23/89)