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STEAM Project

The one-horned rhinoceros is threatened primarily due to poaching for its horn and habitat loss, with high demand for rhino horn in traditional Asian medicine and as a status symbol. Poaching has surged since 2008, particularly in South Africa, with sophisticated methods employed by poachers. Conservation efforts include working with organizations to combat poaching, expanding protected areas, promoting wildlife tourism, and supporting local communities in sustainable resource use.

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5 views2 pages

STEAM Project

The one-horned rhinoceros is threatened primarily due to poaching for its horn and habitat loss, with high demand for rhino horn in traditional Asian medicine and as a status symbol. Poaching has surged since 2008, particularly in South Africa, with sophisticated methods employed by poachers. Conservation efforts include working with organizations to combat poaching, expanding protected areas, promoting wildlife tourism, and supporting local communities in sustainable resource use.

Uploaded by

laya rose laju
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Why are these one horned rhinoceros threatened?

One horned Rhinoceros once roamed many places throughout Europe,


Asia, and Africa and were known to early Europeans who depicted them
in cave paintings. The species still remains under threat from poaching
for its horn and from habitat loss and degradation.

● Although international trade in rhino horn has been banned


under CITES since 1977, the demand remains high, particularly
in Vietnam and for fueling rhino poaching in both Africa and Asia.
● Powdered horn is used in traditional Asian medicine as a
supposed cure for a range of illnesses – from hangovers to
fevers and even cancer.
● There has been a huge surge in poaching since 2008,
particularly in South Africa, which has seen record numbers of
rhinos poached in recent years.
● The current crisis has been primarily driven by the demand for
horn by upper-middle class citizens in Vietnam. As well as its
use in medicine, rhino horn is bought and consumed purely as a
symbol of wealth.
● Poaching gangs use increasingly sophisticated methods to
evade authorities – including helicopters and night vision
equipment to track rhinos, and veterinary drugs to knock them
out.

What can humans do to prevent them from becoming extinct?

1. Working with TRAFFIC on the Wildlife Crime Initiative to investigate,


expose and crack down on poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn –
and reduce demand;
2. Helping to expand protected areas, create new ones, connect isolated
rhino habitats and increase security in these areas;
3. Promoting wildlife-based tourism that helps fund conservation efforts
and gives local communities an income from living alongside wildlife;
4. Working with communities living around protected areas to help them
use their natural resources more sustainably; and
5. Supporting the translocation of rhinos to create new, secure
populations.

Where are their natural habitats?

The greater one-horned rhino once ranged from northern Pakistan, across much
of northern India, Nepal, northern Bangladesh, and Myanmar. It occurred mainly
in alluvial grasslands, where the grass grew up to 8m tall. It was also found in
adjacent swamps and forests.

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