第1个回答 2014-12-05
Rhinos are critically endangered
At the
turn of the 19th century, there were approximately one million rhinos.
In 1970, there were around 70,000. Today, there are only around
28,000 rhinos surviving in the wild. Three of the five species
of rhino are “Critically Endangered” as defined by the IUCN (World
Conservation Union). A taxon is classified as critically endangered
when the best available evidence indicates that it meets any of a
range of pre-determined criteria. It is therefore considered to be
facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. The Southern
subspecies of the white rhino is classified by the IUCN in the lesser
category of being “Near Threatened”; and the Greater one-horned rhino
is classified as "Vulnerable"; even this is considered to be facing a
high risk of extinction in the wild. In 2014, some of us are
lucky enough to be able to travel to Africa and Asia to see them in
the wild. In 2024, when our children have grown up, will they still be able to see wild rhinos?
Rhinos have been around for 40 million years
Rhinos
have been an important part of a wide range of ecosystems for
millions of years; we must not let them join the dodo in extinction.
Humans have caused the drastic decline in numbers
Poachers kill rhinos for the price they can get for the horns (used for
traditional Chinese medicine, for high-status gifts in Vietnam and for
quack cures invented by criminal syndicates to drive up demand); land
encroachment, illegal logging and pollution are destroying their
habitat; and political conflicts adversely affect conservation programmes.
Rhinos are an umbrella species
When
protecting and managing a rhino population, rangers and scientists take in account all the other species interacting with rhinos and those sharing the same habitat. When rhinos are protected, many other speciesare too; not only mammals but also birds, reptiles, fish and insects
as well as plants.
Rhinos are charismatic mega-herbivores!
By focusing on a well-known animal such as a rhino (or, to use the
jargon, a charismatic mega-herbivore), we can raise more money and consequently support more conservation programmes benefiting animal and
plant species sharing their habitat.
Rhinos attract visitors and tourists
Rhinos
are the second-biggest living land mammals after the elephants. Together with lion, giraffe, chimpanzee and polar bear, the rhino is one
of the most popular species with zoo visitors. In the wild, rhinos
attract tourists who bring money to national parks and local
communities. They are one of the “Big Five”, along with lion, leopard,
elephant and buffalo.
In-situ conservation programmes need our help
Protecting
and managing a rhino population is a real challenge that costs energy and money. Rhino-range countries need our financial support, and
benefit from shared expertise and exchange of ideas.
Money funds effective conservation programmes that save rhinos
We
know that conservation efforts save species. The Southern white rhino
would not exist today if it were not for the work of a few determined
people, who brought together the 200 or so individuals surviving, for
a managed breeding and re-introduction programme. Today, there are
some 20,405 (as at 31 Dec. 2012) Southern white rhinos.With more
money, we can support more programmes, and not just save rhino
populations, but increase numbers and develop populations. The
Northern white rhino subspecies may just have become extinct, but it
is not too late to save the rest.本回答被网友采纳