 |
| Not a Black Rhino, but cool nonetheless By Albrecht Durer |
 |
| Eddie the Black Rhinoceros By Margret Cecily |
The "black" (or hook-lipped) rhino is one of two African species of rhinoceros (the other being the "white" or squared-lipped). This species is typically smaller (1,900-3,500 lbs) and has had a long-standing (if perhaps exaggerated) reputation of being extremely aggressive.
The black rhino has been classified as "Critically Endangered" by the IUCN Red List. Out of seven sub-species, only the eastern black rhinoceros and the south-central black rhinoceros are definitively noted to have established populations in the wild. The overall number of black rhinos has been estimated by World Wildlife Fund to be 4,880 as of February 2013. With hundreds being poached annually, swift actions must be taken to ensure the survival of the species.
One project undertaken by WWF in late 2011 was the incredible "Flying Rhino" effort. South-central black rhinos were transported by helicopter airlift to new territories in an attempt to strengthen the population.
Another recent breakthrough in understanding the black rhino occurred during the filming of BBC Nature/Discovery's Africa documentary series. The film crew were the first to capture the much-fabled nightly "gatherings" of rhinos. This footage sheds light on the "secret life" of this creature, long believed to be hostile and unsociable.
Africa also featured a touching segment of Sir David Attenborough meeting Nicky, a baby black rhino at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Nicky has recently been the subject of headlines all over the world; he was born blind and Lewa launched a fundraising campaign to secure funds for a cataract surgery that doctors believe may give him vision for the first time.
We have made remarkable progress in understanding and interacting with this elusive species. It is imperative that a safe haven be created for them so much more can be accomplished in generations to come.
--Margret Cecily @rhino_defenders
