Western black rhino declared extinct

[i_got_a_mohawk]

Originally Posted by BBC

No wild black rhinos remain in West Africa, according to the latest global assessment of threatened species.

The Red List, drawn up by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has declared the subspecies extinct.

A subspecies of white rhino in central Africa is also listed as possibly extinct, the organisation says.

The annual update of the Red List now records more threatened species than ever before.

The IUCN reports that despite conservation efforts, 25% of the world's mammals are at risk of extinction. As part of its latest work it has reassessed several rhinoceros groups.
Poaching vulnerability

As well as declaring the western black rhino (Diceros bicornis longipes) extinct, it records the northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni), a subspecies in central Africa, as being on the brink of extinction.

The last Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) outside Java is also believed to have disappeared.

Overall numbers of black and white rhinos have been rising, but some subspecies have been particularly vulnerable to poaching by criminal gangs who want to trade the animals' valuable horns.

Simon Stuart, chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission, told BBC News: "They had the misfortune of occurring in places where we simply weren't able to get the necessary security in place.

"You've got to imagine an animal walking around with a gold horn; that's what you're looking at, that's the value and that's why you need incredibly high security."

Another focus for this year's list is Madagascar and its reptiles. The report found that 40% of terrestrial reptiles are threatened. But it also says that new areas have been designated for conservation.

That will help protect endangered species including Tarzan's chameleon (Calumma tarzan) and the limbless skink (Paracontias fasika).

Among the success stories identified in the latest annual update is the reintroduction of the Przewalski's horse (Equus ferus). Listed extinct in the wild in 1996, it was brought back after a captive breeding programme and the wild population is now thought to exceed 300.

Among the partner organisations involved in compiling the research for the list is the Zoological Society of London (ZSL).

ZSL's Dr Monika Boehm said: "This Red List update very much shows us a mixed picture of what's happening to the world's species. There's some good news and some bad news.

"Unfortunately, the overall trend is still a decline in biodiversity. We still haven't achieved our conservation potential."

BBC News - Western black rhino declared extinct


Just something to chew over.

I'm by no means an environmental nut, but news like this always saddens me. Not just at the plight of other things within our environment, but at the greed we as a species have

[Dr. Cheese]

I hate the idea of animals being poached into extinction because their parts are in demand for basically magical mumbo jumbo. I don't blame poor people for hunting them so much because their incomes are so low, but the idea that richer developing countries have prosperous people who still hold onto silly notions makes me very sad.

[MakiSupaStar]

We're all so f'd. This just makes me sad.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

I hate the idea of animals being pached into extinction because their parts are in demand for basically magical mumbo jumbo. I don't blame poor people for hunting them so much because their incomes are so low, but the idea that richer developing countries have prosperous people who still hold onto silly notions.

Indeed. The poachers are simply meeting the need of the market that sadly continues to exist for such things.

Yep, another one gone. Lowland gorillas next

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

We're all so f'd. This just makes me sad.

Although not eloquent, this does summarize our unfortunate situation quite well.

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by MakiSupaStar

We're all so f'd. This just makes me sad.

Agreed entirely.

[Waffles and Scotch]

This thread needs a "dislike" button.

[hover]

Seeing as Rhinos are barre-none my favorite animal roaming the planet, this saddens and infuriates me to no end.

[Texan]

Very sad...We will eventually make ourselves extinct...

[fenderhutz]

I am not proud to say I saw the head of one of these in a persons home while doing a computer repair. They were FILTHY rich.

He basically paid the government of that country $80,000 for a "permit" that he could kill a black rhino and get the head shipped back once it had gone through taxidermy.

The wife proudly told me this story as I saw stuffed African lions, gazelle, the black rhino, and a host of other animals considered protected or endangered sprawled across their (rather elegent) home.

I refused to do work at their house again.

[Tituscrow]

Originally Posted by hover

Seeing as Rhinos are barre-none my favorite animal roaming the planet, this saddens and infuriates me to no end.

And how long until your "ARE my favourite animal" becomes "WERE my favourite animal"?

[Jazz Ad]

Survival of the fittest I guess.

[swlees]

Donate to the International Rhino Foundation - I have for some years now. I hate to see any species hunted to extinction (with the possible exception of the red foxes that have been poaching my wife's chicken flock)


The International Rhino Foundation - Dedicated to the Survival of the World's Rhino Species Throug

[hover]

Originally Posted by Tituscrow

And how long until your "ARE my favourite animal" becomes "WERE my favourite animal"?

Exactly. Damnit.

[boynamedsuse]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Survival of the fittest I guess.

Fit doesn't make much difference when a gun is involved.

[hover]

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

Survival of the fittest I guess.

My ass it is.

[MatticusMania]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

I am not proud to say I saw the head of one of these in a persons home while doing a computer repair. They were FILTHY rich.

He basically paid the government of that country $80,000 for a "permit" that he could kill a black rhino and get the head shipped back once it had gone through taxidermy.

The wife proudly told me this story as I saw stuffed African lions, gazelle, the black rhino, and a host of other animals considered protected or endangered sprawled across their (rather elegent) home.

I refused to do work at their house again.

But since you were there, might as well take their cold hearted cash...

[fenderhutz]

Originally Posted by MatticusMania

But since you were there, might as well take their cold hearted cash...

Well duh.

[Gopherbassist]

So, I'm wondering, do people who want animals protected stop animals from being captured and farmed?

[i_got_a_mohawk]

I don't.

Wiping out a species and maintaining livestock are two very different things.