Dehorning Black Rhinos Essay - 1094 Words

Dehorning Black Rhinos Dehorning black rhinos helped save them from extinction in the early 1990s from poachers because the armed guards patrolling the National Parks did not prove to be effective. Another way to preserve the rhino is to find substitutes for the horns. Black rhinos, also known as the hooked-lip rhino, were poached mainly for their horns in the early 1990s, which led to the rhinos near extinction. The black rhino once roamed the extent of Africa’s sub-continent. Now the rhinos are primarily found in Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Nimibia and Zimbabwe because of the demand for the horns. The rhino population has declined in those countries from 65,000 in the 1960s to 25,000 today (Rhino, Internet). Rhino horns†¦show more content†¦The country of Yemen imports 1,500 kilograms of horn each year, about half of which is used to fashion the dagger handles. Dagger handles would not seem to be a practical use because the horns are composed of hard protein and keratin compounded by hair, but when the horns are polished, they look like grained, dark, translucent, amber (Tudge, 1991, 34). Dehorning is one method to prevent poachers from shooting a rhino. Dehorning, the process of removing the front and rear horns of a rhino (Wright, 1991, 36), is a simple procedure, although only trained professionals are allowed to practice it because of the safety for both the rhino and veterinarian. If the safety of both the rhino and the veterinarian is low, it is pointless to dehorn if the species is harmed (Atkinson, Internet). For maximum safety, veterinarians tranquilize the rhino with a tranquilizer dart fired from a rifle with the correct dosage for the size and weight of the rhino. Two veterinarians then use a handsaw or a chainsaw to cut just above the rhino’s snout to remove the horns. The veterinarians coat the remainder of the horn with tar to prevent infection. After the dehorning process there is a regrowth of the horn, so the process has to be repeated every 12-18 months (Atkinson, Internet). The rhino is not harmed during or afterwards and no side effects have been reported (Atkinson, Internet). Rhinos were even reported to attack film crews with their broad snouts and also protected their young fromShow MoreRelatedEndagerment of the Black Rhino1326 Words   |  5 Pagesof the Black Rhino The first thought that comes to mind when a person mentions a rhinoceros is that they are huge and nearly indestructible; however, this is not the case at all. The population of the black rhinoceros and other rhinoceros’ in general is quickly diminishing due to poaching and habitat destruction. In Kenya alone, the population has gone from 20,000 to less than 600. Their species is classified overall as critically endangered while the subspecies of Western Black Rhinos has beenRead MoreRhino poaching2018 Words   |  9 Pages Research Report: Rhino poaching: 1. Introduction to Rhinos: Rhinos are unique animals. There are 6 different rhino species (The White, Black, The greater one horned, Sumatran and the Javan Rhinos) around the world South Africa is home to two the Black and White Rhinos. Rhinos are more closely related to horses as opposed to elephants. They are massive, hoof creatures with extremely thick skin, bulky, strong bodies and at least one horn that extend from their noses. They are timid herbivores whoRead MoreDescriptive Essay : Good Job ! 2093 Words   |  9 Pagesfind food somewhere else. They are, therefore, the lowest level threat to wildlife and rangers. The next elevation comes from commercial poachers, who are targeting bushmeat or other natural products to sell. This may be either on illegal, black markets or through legal means, however, the acquisition through poaching remains illegal no matter the end market. Commercial poachers range in danger posed to rangers, and can be found to use anything from the traditional weapons mentioned earlier