According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Africa’s western black rhino is now officially extinct. After being a victim of increasingly devastating poaching and seeing little to no conservation efforts, the species is now gone, and others – including the northern white rhino and Asia’s Javan rhino – are expected to swiftly follow unless efforts to stop the senseless killing of them prevail.
The black rhino had not been seen in West Africa since 2006, and had been on the IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species since then.
“The situation could have had very different results if the suggested conservation measures had been implemented,” said Simon Stuart, chair of the IUCN species survival commission. “These measures must be strengthened now, specifically managing habitats in order to improve performance, preventing other rhinos from fading into extinction.”
Jane Smart, director of the IUCN’s global species program, added, “We have the knowledge that conservation works if executed in a timely manner; yet, without strong political will in combination with targeted efforts and resources, the wonders of nature and the services it provides can be lost forever.”
Hello Aarynna,
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post on the "Western Black Rhino." This is the sad reality of this sub-specie of the black rhino. There's an earlier post on western black rhino. Check it out and post your comment.