A NEW YEAR—SOME
THOUGHTS for REFLECTION
Each week I try to bring you information about an endangered
animal. Throughout the holiday, I was looking for an animal that I thought
would be of interest. This particular animal seemed to seek me out. It was in
the news and I saw a number of pictures and posts about it. I saw one picture
that struck me, and not in a good way. I am not positing that picture, but it
had such an impact on me that I promised to make him the subject of this week’s
post. Before we introduce him, let’s mention the phrase ‘critically
endangered,’ I’ve used it a lot, but I want to make sure everyone understands
the meaning of this categorization. So let’s take a look at how Arkive.org and
the Int’l Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) define ‘critically
endangered.’
“Critically Endangered species are those that are considered to be
facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. This is the highest
threat category assigned to wild-living species, and generally refers to those
that have suffered a very large and rapid decline in either population size or
geographic range.” http://arkive.org
According to the IUCN*, the definition of ‘critically
endangered is:
“A taxon is
Critically Endangered when the best available evidence indicates that it meets
any of the criteria... for Critically Endangered, and it is therefore
considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.” http://www.iucn.org
When we hear the term ‘endangered,’ we tend to think of
mammals, maybe a frog or two, perhaps the occasional lizard, but there are
plants and bugs as well that are endangered. It’s much easier for us to wrap
our minds around, and feel concern for a cuddly Panda than a snail or prickly plant. However,
endangerment of species should be a concern across taxa (category of organisms).
We are connected and our survival surely depends on theirs.
This week, we’ll take a look at a mammal that is under
attack by humans. I would like you to take a moment to consider the plight of
the Rhinoceros.
The Black Rhinoceros is critically endangered. Most of the other species of Rhino are also
threatened to some extent. The below information is provided by the World
Wildlife Fund. It offers a good summary of the status of Rhino species in the wild.
African
species
Black Rhino: 4,880 (2010)
IUCN Red List
Classification: Critically Endangered
White Rhino: Approx 20,000, up from
fewer than 100 in 1900
IUCN Red List
Classification: Near Threatened
Asian
species
Greater-one horned: 2,913
IUCN Red List
Classification: Vulnerable
Javan: No more than 50
IUCN Red List
Classification: Critically Endangered
Sumatran: Fewer than 200
IUCN Red List
Classification: Critically Endangered
The Vietnam Javan Rhino is extinct, and the
Western Black Rhino was declared extinct by the IUCN in 2011.
We now need to guard certain populations of Rhinos in order
to ensure their survival. That is a sad commentary on what humans have done in
order to satisfy what they consider their needs. In some cases, it’s pure
greed.
Western Black Rhino
(photo credit: Thinkstock)
As we enter the New Year, we tend to reflect on the
successes, failures and ways to correct issues that plagued us in the previous
year. Let’s take a moment this year to also reflect on wildlife and consider
our responsibilities to it. We must
learn to live in harmony with life on our planet. It’s a matter of survival.
My sincere thanks to Arkive and the WWF for all their
efforts in bringing attention to wildlife around the globe.
A very Happy and Healthy New Year to all my readers.
Thanks for stopping by.
Jeanne E. Rogers, Author
The Sword of Demelza
Award Winning Middle Grade Fantasy Where Endangered Animal
Heroes Roam the Pages!
Citations & References: Please visit the below sites for more information.
