By being able to dehorn the massive pachyderms in a humane way and ensuring their survival, Hume said the Platinum Rhino Project would generate enough revenue to cover the large costs associated with managing and conservation of the species. His argument, and that of other private breeders, is that a legal rhino horn trade will drive down black market prices, which the World Animal Foundation estimates is between $15,000 to $30,000 per pound.
(Rhino horns are made of keratin – the substance in human fingernails – and can grow back at a rate of about 7 cm per year.) His plan was to create a breeding farm where the horns could be safely sawn off a living rhino and sold on the open market. Hume established the Platinum Rhino Project, a sprawling 21,000 acre ranch about 100 miles southwest of Johannesburg, in an attempt to legalize the trade of rhino horns, which is banned in most countries. On Wednesday, Hume, who is estimated to own somewhere between 13% to 15% of the world's white rhinos, launched an auction to sell off the 2,000-strong herd in an online sale that's starting at $10 million. Now, he says, he can't afford the upkeep of his crusade. Picture of rhino from side: Andreanita, Dreamtime.John Hume has been trying to save the white rhinos of South Africa before they're poached into extinction.
#Picture of rhinoceros free
To find out what’s being done to protect the rhino – and how you can help, too! – charge over to .ĭid you know that we have a FREE downloadable black rhino primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike! Credits – Black rhino walking on green grass: Stu Porter, Dreamstime. The main threat to these beautiful animals is illegal hunting, largely because their horns are used in traditional folk medicine, particularly in Asia. Nevertheless, these brilliant beasts get frightened easily! When they feel threatened, they’re instinct is to charge directly at whatever has spooked them – whether it be another animal or a harmless object!ġ0) Sadly, it’s estimated that there are only around 29,000 rhinos left in the wild, compared to 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. The birds’ loud cries also help alert their big buddies of potential danger, too!ĩ) Because of their huge bodies, strong horns and thick, armour-like skin, rhinos have no natural predators. They’re very territorial, too, and mark out their area of land with, believe it or not, poop! In fact, rhinos often use pongy piles to communicate with each other, since each individual’s dung smells unique.Ĩ) They may rarely hang out with each other, but they spend a lot of time with their feathered friends! Rhinos are often seen with Oxpeckers (or ‘tick birds’) perched on their back, which live off the pesky parasitic insects living in the rhino’s thick skin. These crashes are usually made up of a female and her calves, although sometimes adult females (called cows) can be seen together, too.ħ) Males (called ‘ bulls’), on the other hand, like to be left alone, unless in search of a female to breed with. But some species, particularly the white rhino, may live in a group, known as a ‘ crash’.
#Picture of rhinoceros skin
They love to get mucky, in fact! Mud protects their skin from the strong sun (like a natural sunblock) and wards off biting bugs, too.Ħ) For the most part, rhinoceroses are solitary animals and like to avoid each other. They’re herbivores, and instead like to munch on lots of grass and plants at night, dawn and dusk.ĥ) During the heat of the day, these magnificent mammals can be found sleeping in the shade or wallowing in muddy pools to cool off. Javan and Indian rhinos have one horn, where as the white, black and Sumatran rhinos have two.ģ) These incredible creatures are some of the biggest animals in world! The largest of the five species is the white rhino, which can grow to 1.8m tall and and weigh a massive 2,500kg – that’s the weight of 30 men!Ĥ) Despite their huge size and strength, these bulky beasts don’t prey on other animals for food. Indian rhino: Vulnerable.ĭiet: Herbivore Habitat: grassy plains, rainforests and swamps.ġ) Our planet is home to five species of rhinoceros – the black rhino and the white rhino, which live in Africa, and the Sumatran, Javan and Indian (or greater one-horned) rhino, which inhabit the tropical forests and swamps of Asia.Ģ) These brilliant beasts are known for their awesome, giant horns that grow from their snouts – hence the name “rhinoceros’, meaning “nose horn”. IUCN status: Black, Javan and Sumatran rhino: Critically endangered. Learn all about one of our planet’s coolest creatures with our ten top rhino facts!
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