Rhinoceroses — Ted J Schmitt

African Rhinoceroses

Rhinoceros are odd-toed ungulates, like Tapir and Equines. African Rhinos are their own Family, divided into the Genera of White and Black Rhinos. I have included photos of the last two remaining Northern White Rhino subspecies. They were moved from a European zoo to Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya to live out their days. The Black Rhino is Critically Endangered, while the Southern White Rhino is Threatened, having made a dramatic comeback due to massive Conservation efforts.

Rhinos are under constant and unrelenting poaching pressure due to their horns. For me, they are the “poster child” for the threat to animals due entirely to human idiocy based on superstition. Rhino horn is chemically the same as human fingernails. Despite having no proven medicinal value and being made of keratin, rhino horn has long been used in traditional Chinese medicines. However, in recent years, it has been incorrectly touted as a cure for ailments ranging from hangovers to treatment for cancer. Increasingly, it is a status symbol signaling wealth and success. There are approximately 6,000 Black Rhinos and 16,000 White Rhinos.

Asian rhinos, none of which I have seen, are even more dire straights than the African rhinos.

The Rhino Recover Fund is another outstanding WCN program to support the protection and recovery of rhinos. Lewa Conservancy and the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) have done an incredible job of protecting rhinos in Northern Kenya, as have other Reserves in that region. NRT is a shining example of how humans and wildlife can co-exist in a landscape.

I took this photo while on a walking safari in Zimbabwe. We came up on a black rhino, and he didn’t much like it. The rangers I was with kept me and the rhino safe. I only got a shot of the dust it raised as it ran away from us.

Northern White Rhino - Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya

African Rhinoceroses

Reptiles

Mammals of the Pacific Northwest & Rocky Mountains