Rick the Rhino

Rhino occupy a unique part of the food chain and wide niches in specific ecosystems in which they have developed their own behaviour patterns and interactions with other species. They form an essential part of the animal kingdom and their loss would have significant ramifications for other dependant flora and fauna. The large numbers of rhino orphans and the loss of pregnant females are decimating wild rhino populations. This decline is mainly due to poaching for their horns that are made of keratin and which have no proven medical benefit to humans. Greedy markets in China, Vietnam and Yemen, and criminal syndicates offer extremely high prices for rhino horn making it more valuable than gold. Whilst tackling the poachers head on is essential, it is sadly not enough and vigorous education programmes need to be put in place to inform people of the ecological, economic, aesthetic and touristic value of rhino. This book is dedicated to the plight all rhino species face including museum specimens and fossils.