SOS Rhino Review
June 2004

Welcome to the SOS Rhino Review, a newsletter about rhinos from SOS Rhino. Youíll 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 youíd 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

Expert: Don't give up hope on saving Sumatran rhino
Kota Kinabalu: Sabah has been urged not to give up on saving its meagre remaining Sumatran rhinos based on spectacular comebacks from near extinction of the Indian and African white rhinos.

On the trail of the last black rhino
The tale of how Rwanda's last black rhinoceros was tracked down after having survived civil war and poachers was told at the Zoological Society in London on Thursday.

---------------------------------------------------------

3. Featured Stories

Sumatran Rhino Survey March 2004
Julie Burns
SOS Rhino Volunteer
After a long flight from Chicago, IL. I finally arrived in Kota Kinabalu on March 8, 2004. I was greeted at the airport by Laura Bazan of Carlotta's Borneo and brought to the Hotel Beverly. After check-in Laura and I went over my itinerary for the next two weeks.

---------------------------------------------------------

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!

The "Magic Horn" Ultimate Frisbee Team:
Megan Brennan, Wade Callahan, Suzy Friedman, Charlie Goblet, Carter Johnson, Dave Kahle, Doug Kirk, Frank Kuhr, Neema Navai, Katie O’Rourke, Kenny Outcalt, Katherine Patnode, Bob Pearl, Barrett Ruemping, Mike Tomaszewski, Cherie Weinewuth

SOS Rhino wishes to acknowledge the following individuals and organizations for their contribution to the “SOS RHINO Annelisa Memorial Fund”. Donated funds will be used to help continue Dr. Kilbourn’s work dedicated to the survival of the Sumatran rhinos in Malaysia. THANK YOU!

---------------------------------------------------------

5. Find It On Our Web Site

NEWS FROM THE FIELD
Read the latest updates from SOS Rhino’s Borneo Team on our efforts to save the Sumatran rhino from the brink of extinction.

---------------------------------------------------------

6. Trivia Questions

1. TRUE OR FALSE: The reasons for the rhinoceros’ continual decline are poaching and habitat loss.

2. Do rhinos really stomp out fires?

3. Is the rhinoceros an aggressive animal?

7. 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:


---------------------------------------------------------

8. Trivia Answers

1. TRUE. The rhinoceros is highly priced for its horn, which is supposed to have medicinal properties. Poaching is a very serious threat and is also still intensifying. 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.

2. There are a number of legends about the rhinoceros stomping out fire. The story seems to have been common in Malaysia and Burma.This type of rhinoceros even had a special name in Malay, 'badak api', where badak means rhinoceros and api means fire. The animal would come when a fire is lit in the forest and stamp it out. If there is or can be any truth in the legend, it would be hard to decide. Suffice it to say that there has been no sighting of this phenomenon in recent history. Of course, the rhinoceros in South East Asia has become very rare is hardly ever met nowadays, as it keeps to the deep forest and high mountains.

3. The rhinoceros will always be seen as an aggressive animal. Its behavior when approached by men will vary, but can often be interpreted as aggression. When left alone, the rhino will rarely attack on its own accord.