Black Rhinoceros
Taxonomy
Scientific name: Diceros Bicornis
Kingdom; animal
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Rhinocerotidae
Genius name: Diceros
Specific name: Bicornis
Black rhinoceros are the smaller of the two types of the African rhino species. This particular rhino has critical similarities with the others in the same genius being the skill nature and the size. Both have the horns and have almost the same feeding model. However, the most notable difference between the white and the black rhino is their hooked upper lips, which is different for that of the other rhinos specific. The element does differentiate it from the white rhino, which a fairly square lips. The black rhinos are browsers rather than the grazers. Their pointed mouth associated those on feeding on leaves from bushes and trees. They have two horns, and occasionally some do have a third, small posterior horn. There exist no significant difference in the skin color between the two species of Rhinos. They are both of grey color, but this can vary depending on the local soil conditions (Gordon et al., 2020).
An adult male black rhino weighs up o 1350kg, and the female-specific weighs up to 900 kg. At birth, the black rhino weighs between 35 and 45 kg. However, this rhino’s specific is relatively smaller compared to the black one. Besides, they have relatively more minor humps on the back of their necks compared to the white one, which has a massive hump. Compared to the white rhino, the black rhinos have a smaller head, and unlike the whites rhinos, they are browsers and eat on the higher bushes or tress. This means that such specific rhinos require relatively fewer muscle strengths around the necks. The last and most conspicuous disguisable characteristics between the black and the white rhinos are seen on the nature of their lips, which is associated with their feeding habits (Ferreira et al., 2019).
Characteristics
Location-Black rhinos occur in the southern and the Eastern side of Africa. Some of the countries where the species f rhinos is found include Kenya, Tanzania, Namibia, and South Africa among the nations in Africa.
Diet-black rhinos hare herbivores that live on vegetarian diets alone. The foliage on the leaves and fruits from trees and bushes. They have been known to be able to feed on a total of 220 species of plants. This species of rhinos are selective feeders that tend to go for the best quality of food. It has also been established that black rhinos tend to remain in areas that have the proximity to water but can survive for several days without drinking water when the resource is limited (Gordon et al., 2020).
Habitat-Black rhinos occur in a considerably more extensive range of habitats where there is an abundance of resources that supports their livelihood. When looking like the new residents for these animals, they tend to look for anywhere with the relatively healthy supply of shrubs and woody herbs ad plant’s life occur. They also place with nearby water resources and the much essential mineral licks that are within a radius of 5- 10 miles of a boundary (Ferreira et al., 2019). These descriptions span a relatively more comprehensive range of habitats in Africa that include semi-deserts and the woodland, forest, and the African wetlands. The black rhinoceros has initially been widespread from the Cape of Good Hope to the southwestern Angola of the eastern side of Africa, such as Somalia. However, this territory have over time, shifted as a result of the adverse human activities which do result in the loss of the life-supporting resources for these animals. The desertification cases by unwanted human activities is the primary cause of the ever-declining back rhinoceros territory.
Sociability- The black rhinos can either be solitary or territorial, depending on the individuals’ age. Most of the animals are semi-social and less aggressively territorial, depending on the habitat. Incredible footage from the media does indicate that Black Rhinos congregating socially at water-holes that suggesting that they are quite a social group of animals.
Territory-a bull territory range is overall around 4.7 km. The adult male tends to lives on their own except is in courting males. Among the males, there exit the dominants and the subordinate animals. Subordinate rhino within these ranges are mostly the young adults and must, therefore, remain very loyal to the dominant bull. Female black rhinos tend to have a broader scope compared to males. They can have a variety of up to 7 km and tend to be more solitary. He females black rhinos are often found in the company of their youngest calves.
Scent marking– this is one of the most crucial elements of these animals communicating. Since rhinos have relatively poor eyesight, urine spraying is a common form of scent markings used both by the males and the females. The sending bust can reach a range of up to 4 meters range and can also be found long freedom and water tracks. The animals also use dung pile in marketing scents as Maddens. Black rhino, in some cases, may defecate severally ion a single spot as a means of marketing boundary. In some heading, rubbing is also used in marking scents as well (Bailey et al., 2017).
Sounds-black rhinos use sniffing and snorting, especially when the animals are disturbed. For some, they do grunt between the social groups and this has also been seen to be one of the methods of communication.
The female rhinoceros reach maturely to reproduce after five years and in other after four users. Males breed later as he needs the right size and strength to be able to compete with other males. They generally start to claim territory and mate at a period of 10-12 years. However, the mating of the black rhinos do occur at any time of the year and often is very violent. Females may not accept he males at first and it is not unusual for the animals to engage in very brutal fights as the male tries to persuade the females into accepting the male to mate with it the black rhino has the gestation period of 15 months and once born, the calves remain with the mother for an up period of 4 years (Ferreira et al., 2019).
Status
Black rhinos remain one of the most endangered groups of wild animals. This is due to poaching for their precious horns and other trophies. In China, the animal’s horns are considered traditional Chines medicines. They are generally collected as a symbol of wealth and status. The demand for the black rhino’s horns is considerably higher and has resulted in the massive hunting of these animals, which is soon heading to extinction. According to the IUCN, black rhinos is considered one on the red list of the extermination as the poaching for the animal trophies is very rampant (Shultz et al., 2019). According to the IUCN, black rhinos were abundant, with their numbers estimated to be over 1 million in 1900. The rampant poaching and encroachment into the animal’s habitat have resulted in the animals’ population declining to about 2400 in 1995. This number is estimated to have reduced to less than 1500 by own as the conservation measure is bearing tiny fruits. It is estimated that human activities have resulted in over 10% of the black rhino’s numbers declined in the recent past (Gordon et al., 2020). Poaching in most parts of the wildlife habitat for their trophies has greatly contributed to the reduction in the numbers of the animals. Besides, agricultural practice and wildlife animals’ conflict in the different habitats this species of wildlife contributes to a decrease in the wildlife habitat range and loss of the resources such as grazing lands and water resources for these animals. This has immensely contributed to the decline of these animals.
Response
WWF did launch an international effort to save wildlife in 1961 to preserve the black rhinos from the brink of exaction. In protecting the endangered species of rhino, the WWF and the IUCN are taking different measures to help curb the significant problem of poaching, which is the leading threat to the wildlife loss. The WWF is taking necessary action in the major countries where the Black rhinos are endangered being, Kenya, Namibia, and South Africa. In the different parts of the world, therefore, have been various attempts to have the numbers of the black rhinos boosted through painstaking efforts aimed at saving the black rhinos. Some of the methods have included moving some of the individuals from the established groups to the new location where they can effectively be monitored. The animals are also moved to the various parts of the world where there have a considerably more extensive range as well as the points where they are protected through more vigorous law enforcement efforts (Bailey et al., 2017).
In most of the countries where the poaching of this endangered specific is rampant, the animals are often collared for 24 hours surveillance. In the conversation areas such as the Ol Pejeta national park in Kenya, the Black rhinos have been put under 24-hour surveillance where the team charged with the responsibility of protecting these animals watches over them through while feeding them as well. The management of the national parts is often charged with monitoring these animals’ health and their habitats manipulation to make their habitats more suitable for the animal’s survival. The massive growth in the numbers of the black rhinos in Africa and the parts of say can be attributed to the most significant achievement in the element of protection and the protection enforcement efforts (Shultz et al., 2019).
Scientific research is being conducted on the different parts of the African habitat where the black rhinos are naturally found. Such investigations increase the conservation measure for the black rhinos. In most protected areas in Africa, the scientist is coming with specific research which aims at enhancing the animal habitat and improving their habitat suitability for their survival. The scientific studies are increasing the survival rate for the animals while improving their numbers in the recent past (Bailey et al., 2017).
Figure 1: Wildlife experts transporting a black rhino from Malawi to South Africa.
Future
The future survival of the black rhinos is wholly determined by keenly looking at the significant factors that can lead to the decline of the black rhinos. Their population has been dramatically threatened by habitat loss, disease, and poaching, and their community has remained critically endangered. However, scientists are working together with veterinarians to secure a future for the black rhino populations. The conservation success of the black rhinos over the recent years has been heartening. Still, a lot of effort can be done to counter the present poaching disaster and ultimately take the population up to more than just a fraction of what it once was. The chances of the black rhino’s survival can be facilitated by WWF by improving its management and intensifying the current existing protected areas; they can, however, establish new areas that are well protected (Shultz et al., 2019).
The survival chances of the black rhinos can be improved by countering the threats and ensuring that free-ranging rhino receives state of the art veterinary care. The WWF has also implemented the processes of enhancing security monitoring to protect the black rhinos from poaching adequately. Other conservation measures that are underway, like translocating the black rhinos to great secure places, will also foster their survival in the future. The promotion of well-managed wildlife built tourism involvements has also aided in providing extra funding to conserve the black rhinos and ensuring their future survival.
References
Antwis, R. E., Edwards, K. L., Unwin, B., Walker, S. L., & Shultz, S. (2019). Rare gut microbiota associated with breeding success, hormone metabolites and ovarian cycle phase in the critically endangered eastern black rhino. Microbiome, 7(1), 27.
Freeman, R. E., Harris, J. D., Mead, J., Cook, S., & Bailey, T. (2017). The Black Rhino. Darden Business Publishing Cases
Jeffries, G., Withers, O., Barichievy, C., & Gordon, C. (2020). The Rhino Impact Investment Project: A new, outcomes-based finance mechanism for selected AfRSG-rated ‘Key’black rhino populations. Pachyderm, (60), 88-95.
le Roex, N., Dreyer, C., Viljoen, P., Hofmeyr, M., & Ferreira, S. M. (2019). Seasonal space-use and resource limitation in free-ranging black rhino. Mammalian Biology, 99(1), 81-87.