Striving to Survive

By Benjamín Nadal

Rhinoceroses are large, herbivorous mammals identified by their characteristic

horned snouts. The word "rhinoceros" comes from the Greek "rhino" (nose) and
"ceros" (horn).

Because the animals' horns are used in folk medicine for their supposed healing
properties, rhinos have been hunted nearly to extinction.

Where do rhinos live?

White rhinos and black rhinos live in the grasslands and floodplains of eastern
and southern Africa. Greater one-horned rhinos can be found in the swamps
and rain forests of northern India and southern Nepal. Sumatran and Javan
rhinos are found only in small areas of Malaysian and Indonesian swamps and
rain forests

what do they eat?

Rhinoceroses are herbivores, which means they eat only vegetation. The type
of vegetation they eat varies by species, depending of the shape of their snout
they eat leaves, fruit or grass.

How many types of rhinos are there and how may are left?

There are five species and 11 subspecies of rhino; some have two horns, while
others have one.

According to International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List of

Threatened Species:

Black rhinos, Sumatran rhinos and Javan rhinos are "critically endangered,"

which is the list's highest risk category. There are 5,055 black rhinos, fewer than
100 Sumatran rhinos and only 35 to 44 Javan rhinos.

Greater one-horned rhinos are "vulnerable," which means they may become

endangered unless circumstances improve. Fortunately, their population is
increasing; there are 3,333 greater one-horned rhinos in the world. The total
population estimate in 2007 was 2,575 individuals, according to the IUCN.

White rhinos are "near threatened," which means they may be considered

threatened by extinction in the near future. Southern white rhinos have an
increasing population; there are 20,405 southern white rhinos. However, the
northern white rhino is considered "extinct" in the wild.
Why should we protect rhinos?

First of all because rhinos are a creation of God and He made men stewards of
his creatures.

Also we must recognize that in almost all rhino conservation areas, there are
other valuable plants and animals so the protection of rhinos helps protect other
species including elephants, buffalo, and small game.

Rhinos contribute to economic growth and sustainable development through

tourism, which creates job opportunities and provides tangible benefits to local
communities living alongside rhinos.

Rhinos are one of the "Big Five" animals popular on African safaris and they are
also a popular tourism draw in places like the Eastern Himalayas.

Rhinos are one of the "Big Five" animals popular on African safaris and they are
also a popular tourism draw in places like the Eastern Himalayas.