Rhinoverus
Diceros Bicornis (Black Rhinocerus) Ceratotherium simum (White Rhinocerus) Two rhino species are native to Africa: the black rhino and the white rhino. The expression “white” stems from a mistake in translation from the Dutch language, which has named this species “Wijd mond rhino”= broad mouthed rhino, in contrast to the tipped mouth rhino which belongs to a different variety and has a finger-formed upper lip (similar to the elephant). Despite their very similar skin color and texture, these rhinos are quite different with regards to body structure, weight, preferred habitat and temperament. Rhinos may have a clumsy appearance, but they are fast and can run up to 55 km/h (35 mph). They have bad eye sight but their senses of hearing and smell are very well developed 15. Rhino skin looks like armor and is very thick, particularly around the shoulders to protect against injuries. However their skin is quite sensitive to UV radiation and extended exposure to sunlight can cause sunburn. For protection they wallow in mud to provide the skin with a protective layer of dried mud. Parasites and ticks that settle in the rhinos’ skin are picked out by yellow- or red-billed oxpeckers (Buphagus africanus or Buphagus erythrorhynchus) in a symbiotic relationship. Positive efforts to manage rhino populations include immobilization and relocation of rhinos from increasingly populated areas has prevented conflict between humans and animals and has also supported stabilization of rhino populations 16. Devastating to the rhino is poaching for the use of rhino horn in Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM), use in the traditional Middle East dagger handle and the recent introduction as a (entirely ineffective) cancer medication – rhino horn consists of keratin which is exactly the same material as hair and finger nails. Authorities’ use of innovative DNA analysis and forensic methods to track and trace poached animals and illegal trade has led to several, but still too few arrests 17. Lacing rhino horn with dyes or chemicals which are harmless to the animal but toxic for humans have proven ineffective, since poachers care not whether people’s lives thousands of miles away are endangered 18. The IUCN estimated a White Rhino inventory of some 20,000 animals in 2010, this is categorized as NT – Near Threatened. The Black Rhino with an
inventory of less than 5,000 in 2010 is ranked 19, 20 as CR – Critically Endangered. These rhino species have existed on the continent since the Late Miocene, that is for 6 million years. Considering that the 1960 count was 850,000 rhinos there was a reduction of 97% of the population by 2010 mostly through reckless poaching and habitat loss. Continued poaching is likely to reduce the population even further 21 since officially sanctioned sale of rhino horn is progressively constrained by CITES endeavors: in South Africa alone the loss of rhino horn sales has caused a loss of income of some 25 million US-Dollars in 2015 – consequently, police and park rangers have reduced their rhino protection and the illegal trade for horn flourishes. Considering that a 4 kg (9 lbs) rhino horn can fetch some 100,000 USD on the black market, the temptation for poachers is huge. Rhino horn re-grows if cut off some 10 cm (4 inches) above the roots – many parks and zoos try to protect their rhino herds with this de-horning method. However, de-horned rhinos still tend to get killed by poachers: to save them time and future futile efforts they kill these animals which have no more value for them. The IUCN reports that poachers kill approximately 1,400 animals annually and this has shrunk the rhino population by 30% over three generations 22.
Picture Left Side Rhinocerus Herd Intaglio print from manually engraved aluminum plate with Chine-collé 20 x 30 cm [7 7/8“ x 11 7/8“] (2017)