SOS
Rhino Review
January 2005
Welcome to the SOS Rhino Review, a newsletter about rhinos from SOS Rhino. You'll find links to interesting articles here as well as a few surprises! We have provided some updates on our efforts to save rhinos all over the world. Let us know if you'd rather not receive this newsletter.
And now, let's go to the rhino news.
1. About Us
2. World Rhino News
3. Feature Stories
4. Donor Appreciation
5. Find It On Our Web Site
6. Trivia Questions
7. How You Can Help
8. Trivia Answers
Full Stories Are Available Via Web Links
1. About Us
SOS Rhino is a non-profit, international foundation dedicated to preserving the five rhinoceros species in their natural habitats. Our conservation programs combine research, education, marketing and advocacy, all working collectively to achieve sustainable results.
Through diverse stakeholder support, SOS Rhino develops and funds rhino conservation and awareness programs appropriate to individual countries, providing these countries with the information and tools to build lasting rhino conservation.
It
is our goal to secure a place for this ancient animal in tomorrow’s
world.
2. World Rhino News
Rhino charges back from brink of extinction
India's endangered one-horned rhinos are fighting back from the
throes of death despite increasing demand for their horns in the
international market.
Until a few years ago, the Kaziranga National Park in the northeastern
state of Assam echoed with sounds of staccato gunfire as the noble
beast became the target of poacher gangs - up to 600 of the pachyderms
were killed for their horns between 1985 to 2000.
Cutting-edge conservationists
It was like a scene straight out of mafia drama The Sopranos
and spy series Alias, but played for real, featuring a Chinese underworld
boss with a fleet of Mercedes-Benzs, armed goons, sexy molls and
a host of military officials on his pay-roll. His business? Smuggling
rhino horns and tiger bones for the lucrative Chinese medicine market.
This was China in the early 1990s. "At the time, China and Taiwan
claimed there was no illegal rhino trade," said environmental
detective Steve Galster. "No action was taken. In 100 years,
the rhino population had shrunk by about 95%."
3. Featured Stories
The Rhinoceros of Mount Kinabalu
The rhinoceros is never easily seen in its original haunts
and many naturalists or hunters have been sorely put to the test.
For instance, Theodore Hubback, writing in 1939 at a time when rhinos
were more plentiful than today, said that 'of all the difficult and
exasperating animals through dense jungle the rhinoceros easily takes
first place. They invariably go through the thickest undergrowth
they can find and deliberately leave a game path to go through, or
under, or over, some fallen tree which appeals to their sense of
humor, I suppose.'
4. Donor Appreciation
SOS RHINO wishes to acknowledge the following individuals, organizations, and
foundations for their generous support of our programs. Their support comes
in many forms: donation of their expertise and time, funds for specific programs
and equipment, and donation of products. THANK YOU!
Click HERE to view the list of our donors!
5. Find It On Our Web Site
BORNEO RHINO CHALLENGE 2005
Trek, Cycle, and Quest for the Sumatran Rhino of Borneo
SOS RHINO invites you to climb to the summit of Mt. Kinabalu, cycle the Northern
tip of Borneo, and help us search for the elusive Sumatran rhinoceros of Borneo.
You’ll see an astonishing variety of rare and endemic plants, primates,
and birds during your trek and cycle in some of the most beautiful areas of
Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. As part of the challenge you will join SOS Rhino’s
field staff deep in the jungles of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, in search of the
last remaining small, shy forest rhinos of Malaysian Borneo.
6. Trivia Questions
1.
True or False: There are less than 70 Javan rhinos alive today
2.
Why has the white rhinoceros developed a wide, square lip?
3.
Name the five (5) rhino species surviving today.
7. How You Can Help
Participate in SOS Rhino’s Annual Borneo Rhino Challenge Fundraiser
As part of the challenge you will join SOS Rhino’s field staff deep in
the jungles of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, in search of the last remaining small,
shy forest rhinos of Malaysian Borneo.
Adopt
a rhino, doc or keeper. Buy a t-shirt, hat, or video
There are only 300 Sumatran rhinos left on Earth. Without direct help from
generous humans, they may never be seen again. We urge you to give what you
can in the form of a donation – protect a rhino or adopt a rhino, doc,
researcher, keeper, or purchase one of SOS Rhino’s products: a T-shirt,
hat, or video. Visit today, and give from your heart.
Contribute to the “SOS Rhino Annelisa Memorial Fund”
SOS Rhino has established memorial fund in Dr. Annelisa Kilbourn’s
name to help continue her work dedicated to the survival of the Sumatran
rhino in
Malaysia. Contributions can be made by clicking the button below or mailed
directly to SOS Rhino (checks should be made out to “SOS RHINO”)680
N. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60611. attn: Annelisa Fund. 312.335.0868,
fax 312.335.0076. Inquires emailed to info@sosrhino.org.
Volunteer
SOS RHINO is looking for volunteers interested in helping us in our efforts
to save the Sumatran rhinoceros. Our Borneo Team is studying the demographics
of the remaining animals in Tabin Wildlife Reserve to determine when patrol
units, habitat protection, or translocation may play a role in the rhinos'
survival. Read more:
8. Trivia Answers
1. True. Rhino populations are declining due to poaching and habitat destruction.
2. The white rhinoceros spends much of its time "grazing". The
wide, square lip helps in cutting the sharp grass.
3.
Asian one-horned, white, black, Javan, Sumatran
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