African Rhinocerous are increasingly appearing in the media due to the relentless and brutal poaching onslaught against them that is driven by greed and the ridiculous belief that they hold miraculous cures against a number of diseases.
Sadly, they are only one of countless species under threat, with crimes against wildlife listing in the top three of global crimes and falling just below illicit arms and drug dealing.
Rhinos are an icon of Africa and deserve all the help that they can get to overcome the relentless poaching that is taking place against them. We all need to head the call to save this incredible animal and while there are many organizations currently collecting funds to be used in the fight against rhino poaching, care must be taken to ensure that the funding collected is used for what is promised.
The World-Wide Fund for Nature (WWF-SA) has a long-standing reputation and will ensure that funds are properly used. They are also key partners in the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project that has seen the expansion of many conservation areas and the translocation of Black Rhino to community conservation areas. This not only helps with the population growth of the species but also allows communities to benefit from conservation tourism.
Rhino's horns are used in defence against predators and male rhino will use their horns when fighting. There is no evidence of the horn being a cure against diseases in humans which therefore makes the destruction of rhino populations totally unnecessary.
The Black Rhino population stands at approximately 1900 animals while the population of the White Rhino is around 20 000 animals. Wildlife and Conservation photographer Peter Chadwick shares a collection of rhino images that showcase the White and Black Rhino. More rhino images can be viewed on Photoshelter
1. A Black Rhino bull emerges from thick scrub in the Addo Elephant National Park. The ear notch aids individual recognition by management authorities
2: A Black Rhino pauses in the open en-route to drink on the shores of Lake Nakuru National Park in Kenya
3: A Black Rhino trots along the shores of Lake Nakuru National Park
4: A Black Rhino with skin liaisons that are caused by a parasite and are constantly pecked at by Red-Billed Oxpeckers
5: A young White Rhino bull is challenged by the dominant male at a waterhole. The dominant bull being much larger successfully chased off the younger bull
6: A White Rhino yawns
7: A White Rhino cow wanders through dry winter bushveld in search of grazing
8. A White Rhino dozes under sparse shade during the heat of the day.
9. A White Rhino miden in the iSimangaliso Wetland Park
10. A White Rhino cow and calf drink their fill at a bushveld waterhole
11. A White Rhino calf sits mischievously alongside a waterhole. It later chased all the other game that came down to drink at the waterhole.
12. A White Rhino runs in play at a waterhole.
13. A young White Rhino calf splashes in the mud of a waterhole
14. A White Rhino calf runs full tilt into the mud in a display of play
15. A White Rhino cow bellows a warning to a White Rhino bull that was venturing too close to the cows newborn calf
16. The horns of White Rhino cows are generally longer and thiner than those of bulls
17. A White Rhino rubs against a tree stump after bathing in the mud and to rid itself of parasites
18. A Red-Billed Oxpecker perches on the knee of a White Rhino. The oxpecker is a regular visitor to the rhino, feeding on parasites and blood
19. Tourists in Lake Nakuru National Park view a trio of White Rhinos. Rhinos are definitely worth far more alive through their repeated attraction to paying visitors.
20. A trio of White Rhino on the shores of Lake Nakuru at dawn
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