Armored Rhinoceros -22 September World Rhino Day
Asian rhinos, in contrast to their African counterparts, possess a distinctive and heavily armored appearance, owing to the numerous folds in their skin. These magnificent creatures are herbivores, primarily feeding on a diet consisting of tall grasses, shrubs, leaves, and fruits. As they graze, they play a significant role in shaping and restructuring the landscapes they inhabit. However, the unfortunate truth is that some Asian rhinoceros species are on the brink of extinction.
Vietnam's last Javan rhinos, a critically endangered subspecies, tragically became extinct in 2010. One of the most pressing threats to these remarkable animals is poaching. Rhinoceroses are mercilessly hunted by poachers for their horns, which fetch exorbitant prices on the black market. East Asia, particularly Vietnam, stands out as the largest market for rhino horns.
Rhino horns, despite being composed of keratin, the same protein found in hair and fingernails, are coveted for their supposed therapeutic properties. Some cultures grind these horns into dust and consume it as traditional medicine or use it for ornamental purposes. Astonishingly, the price of rhino horns, when measured by weight, can rival that of gold on the black market.
Among Asian rhino species, both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros possess two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn. Regrettably, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the black rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros, and Sumatran rhinoceros as critically endangered, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures from extinction.
Armored Rhinoceros -22 September World Rhino Day
Asian rhinos, in contrast to their African counterparts, possess a distinctive and heavily armored appearance, owing to the numerous folds in their skin. These magnificent creatures are herbivores, primarily feeding on a diet consisting of tall grasses, shrubs, leaves, and fruits. As they graze, they play a significant role in shaping and restructuring the landscapes they inhabit. However, the unfortunate truth is that some Asian rhinoceros species are on the brink of extinction.
Vietnam's last Javan rhinos, a critically endangered subspecies, tragically became extinct in 2010. One of the most pressing threats to these remarkable animals is poaching. Rhinoceroses are mercilessly hunted by poachers for their horns, which fetch exorbitant prices on the black market. East Asia, particularly Vietnam, stands out as the largest market for rhino horns.
Rhino horns, despite being composed of keratin, the same protein found in hair and fingernails, are coveted for their supposed therapeutic properties. Some cultures grind these horns into dust and consume it as traditional medicine or use it for ornamental purposes. Astonishingly, the price of rhino horns, when measured by weight, can rival that of gold on the black market.
Among Asian rhino species, both African species and the Sumatran rhinoceros possess two horns, while the Indian and Javan rhinoceros have a single horn. Regrettably, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the black rhinoceros, Javan rhinoceros, and Sumatran rhinoceros as critically endangered, highlighting the urgent need for conservation efforts to protect these magnificent creatures from extinction.