SOS
Rhino Review
January 2007
Happy New Year
Welcome to the SOS Rhino Review, a newsletter about rhinos from
SOS Rhino. You’ll find links to interesting articles here
as well as 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. Feature Stories
2. World Rhino News
3. Donor Appreciation
4. Find It On Our Web Site
5. Frequently Asked Questions
6. How You Can Help
7. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
8. About Us
Full Stories Are Available Via Web Links
1. Feature Stories
MONTHLY FIELD REPORT
SEPTEMBER 2006
This month there were 6 Rhino Protection Units in action. Joining the RPUs in search of the Sumatran rhino was a young American named Matt Hallet. He joined the volunteer program for 4 weeks. During his stay with the RPUs, he managed to see rhino footprints. Apart from joining up with the RPUs with their monthly survey and patrol, Matt also had the chance to join the Community Outreach Program at Kg. Dagat.
2. World Rhino News
Nepal court orders protection for threatened rhino
KATHMANDU (Reuters) - Nepal's Supreme Court has ordered the government to increase security in the country's biggest rhino reserve after local media reported that at least 10 of the animals have been killed since July, an official said.
Alternative-energy boom roils Asian environments
By Patrick Barta in Pontianak, Indonesia, and Jane Spencer in Hong Kong, The Wall Street Journal
Investors are pouring billions of dollars into "renewable" energy sources such as ethanol, biodiesel and solar power that promise to reduce the world's reliance on petroleum. But exploiting these alternatives may produce unintended environmental and economic consequences -- fallout that could offset many of the expected benefits.
3. 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!
4. Find It On Our Web Site
SOS Rhino and Tabin Wildlife Reserve announce the Rhino Survey
Expedition in Borneo
The Rhino Survey Expedition in Borneo is a 7 Day, 6 Night program that combines
a comfortable stay at the charming Tabin Wildlife Resort with a survey program
where participants will join SOS Rhino Borneo’s Rhino Protection and Survey
staff deep in the jungles of Tabin Wildlife Reserve, in search for signs of the
elusive Sumatran rhino in its natural habitat.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. TRUE OR FALSE: Rhino horn is made of compacted hair and keratin.
2. What are the reasons for the continual decreasing rhino population?
3. Why do rhinos have horns?
6 . How You Can Help
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:
7. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
1. TRUE. Rhino horn is made of the same material as our fingernails.
2. It is highly priced for its horn, which is supposed to have medicinal properties. Its natural habitat is taken away by the growing human population. Land is converted for use in agriculture or roads, forests are still logged for hardwood. Poaching is a very serious threat. It is also still intensifying.
3. The horns are very well developed in the two species in Africa (black and white rhinos), but much smaller in the three species in Asia (Sumatran with 2 very small horns, Indian and Javan with one horn). The Asian species certainly do not use the horns to fight or to defend themselves, they use their incisors (sharp front teeth for the purpose). The horns have come about in evolution and they had (have) a general function to impress members of the opposite sex. Horns are also used for digging in waterbeds to find water, or to uproot shrubs etc. Some rhinos use the horn to guide their offspring. This is generally the front horn, the second horn does not have a very specific purpose at the moment. We suppose that they had some purpose in the course of evolution.
 |
8. 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.
|
