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Dogs to Sniff Out the State of Vietnam's Critically Endangered Rhinos

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Vietnam – Highly trained detection dogs are being used help to determine the population status of the Javan rhino in Vietnam, in an attempt to save one of the world’s rarest mammals from extinction.

WWF researchers have teamed up with national park rangers using two detection dogs from the United States to determine the population status of the Javan rhinos in the forests of southern Vietnam, home to one of the world’s last two remaining populations of the species.

Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) were thought to be extinct on mainland Southeast Asia until hunters in Vietnam killed an individual rhino in 1988. It is believed less than ten remain, but no conclusive survey has ever been conducted to verify this.

“The Javan rhino is possibly the rarest large mammal on Earth,” said Sarah Brook, leader of the WWF rhino project in Vietnam. “This field survey aims to reveal the secrets of Vietnam’s little known Javan rhino population in an effort to save it from extinction.”

Samples of the dung will be sent to Queen’s University in Canada where DNA analysis will detect the sex and number of animals. The Zoological Society of London will carry out a hormone analysis to show the animal’s breeding capability.

After just five days of surveying the area, seven rhino dung samples have been found. These specimens have given the project team confidence that they will be able to gather all the necessary scientific information. The results of these analyses will be used to formulate an urgent rhino conservation plan.

“The rhino is not only a rare animal unique to this country, but protecting the rhino is a flagship for conservation efforts in Vietnam,” said Hien Tran Minh, Country Director for WWF Vietnam. “If we lose the rhino the future does not look good for Vietnam’s other rare and endemic species.”

The Javan rhino is a highly valued commodity in the illegal wildlife trade, with the rhino horn, skin and faeces used for medicinal purposes. Habitat encroachment from agricultural expansion and planned hydropower development also pose increasing threats to this small population.

To improve protection for rhinos and other wildlife threatened by poachers, WWF in collaboration with the Asian Rhino project is supporting local communities to join the Forest Protection Department and national parks staff.

‘Rhinomania’, a blog written by the WWF team, will keep the public up to date on the rhino survey as well as on life in the national park.

News items on this page are from external sources and the International Rhino Foundation cannot be held responsible for the authenticity of their content, nor for the continuing presence of original links.

20-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Evidence of One-horn Rhino in Vietnam

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

After five days, the dogs found seven samples of rhino feces which can be examined for further information about the animals.

The forests are home to one of the two remaining species of one-horn rhino in the world.

One-horn rhinos (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) were considered to be extinct in Southeast Asia until a rhino was killed by a hunter in 1988. The number of one-horn rhinos in the world is estimated at less than 10. However, official statistics are unavailable.

Sarah Brook, director of the WWF’s rhino project, said that the one-horn rhino is among the rarest big mammal species in the world. The survey in Vietnam aims to discover the secrets of this animal in order to protect them from extinction.

Feces samples will be sent to the Canada’s Queen University for analysis to define the sex and numbers of rhinos. A zoological organisation in London, UK will analyse hormones to check the reproductive ability of the species. The analysis will be used as part of an urgent plan to preserve one-horn rhinos.

Tran Minh Hien, director of the WWF Vietnam said: “Preserving rhinos in Vietnam is not just about it being the rarest species in Vietnam. It is also the biggest symbol in preservation work in Vietnam at present. If we lose this species of rhino, other rare and endemic species of Vietnam will also face future danger.”

Rhino horns, skin and feces are used for medical purposes so the one-horn rhino is a target for hunters. In addition, agricultural expansion and development of hydropower plants harms their environment.

It is possible to follow the progress online via: www. rhinomania.blogspot.com

20-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Rhino Rendezvous Is Back!

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:29:53 GMT

View more photos of White Oak Conservation Center here.

For the second year, IRF is pleased to offer Rhino Rendezvous, a truly unique opportunity usually reserved for the world’s foremost scientists, global and corporate leaders, and select members of the White Oak Conservation Center Foundation. And, it’s all yours … for the winning bid. Just go to www.rhinosirf.cmarket.com by December 15th and place your bid on this remarkable and memorable expedition, valued at $25,000. The winner will be announced December 16th.

This unique package, Rhino Rendezvous, is a rare opportunity to spend 4 days, 3 nights at IRF’s headquarters at White Oak Conservation Center, just north of Jacksonville, Florida. This unique and exclusive 7,400 acre reserve is closed to the public and is home to hundreds of rare, exotic and threatened wildlife like giraffes, tigers, cheetahs, Florida panthers, zebras, Komodo dragons, and okapis - just to name a few. And, it’s the only place in the world where four of the five rhino species can be seen!

You’ll have an opportunity to get up-close-and-personal and behind the scenes with the Center's animals. You’ll stay in a spacious, uniquely-appointed guest lodge with museum-quality artwork and antiques, have a chance to participate in an array of incredible recreational activities, enjoy private gourmet meals, and much, much more. From the moment you land at the Jacksonville airport, every need and detail will be anticipated and attended to.

Every day, more and more rhinos are being lost to poaching, forest loss, habitat conversion and humans invading their habitat. The IRF wants to make sure that the five rhino species survive well into the future. Your wining bid – and tax-deductible donation to IRF – will help save rhinos and ensure that these gentle giants are around for future generations!

Visit our auction site today to learn more about Rhino Rendezvous or to place your bid!

To learn more about IRF’s efforts to protect endangered rhinos around the world,
or to make a donation, please visit www.rhinos-irf.org.

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18-Nov-09 8:29 AM

Rhinos De-Horned to Stop Poaching

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Three black rhinos at Imire Safari Park have been dehorned in order to prevent them from being killed by poachers. Imire has four black and two white rhino, and all but one baby have now been dehorned. An estimated 200 rhino have been killed by poachers in the last three years.

MARONDERA – In August 2007: Imire lost three of their rhinos. Even though they had been dehorned, they were brutally killed by poachers. It has been speculated that the poachers were not aware that the rhinos had been dehorned. However, they managed to cut off the male rhino’s stub of horn, so some believe that the massacre of these dehorned rhinos was a politically motivated act, and that the poachers were fully aware that these rhino did not have horns but went out and killed them anyway.

Another theory is that poachers have now resorted to killing off rhinos for the sake of being able to cover more ground when it comes to poaching. That way they can keep track of the rhinos that are still alive in certain areas and can then condense the margin they have to cover when poaching. Zimbabwe has become a hot spot for rhino poaching, and with the demand for rhino horns ever increasing from the Asian market, the question remains; how can these relentless poachers be stopped? Dehorning is one solution, as it stops giving poachers a reason to kill these animals. The Rhino are sedated, a qualified vet is brought in, and the horn is literally sawn off. They suffer no pain, and are back on their feet in a matter of minutes.

However the act of dehorning has been quite a controversial topic, with the main argument being that rhinos use their horns for grazing, and for protection in the wild. If the animals are dehorned it may affect their entire social behavior. Reily Travis, who has lived on Imire his entire life, and runs the volunteer programme on the farm, thinks that there is another way
that Zimbabwe can save the rhinos and their horns. He explained that it costs in the region of US$200,000 to capture and re-release rhinos into safer areas, and to dehorn them. He believes this money should rather be used on a tracking system. This involves a UV-based chip being implanted in the rhino’s horn – giving 24 hour surveillance.

“The process of dehorning has been going on for 10 years and unfortunately has not made a big enough impact. The rate of poaching still doubles each year,” explained Travis. Another point that Travis made, was that if these rhino did have chips in their horns, they could then also track where and how these horns were being smuggled out of the country. This would hopefully lead to exposing the culprits that are involved in these illegal dealings. He added that the money used for capturing and dehorning the rhino could also be channeled towards National Parks employees, who he thinks have lost motivation because they are not being given enough incentive and do not have enough equipment to protect these animals “It is so important to keep the people on the ground happy because they are, at the end of the day, putting their lives on the line to ensure the safety of these rhinos,” he said.

South African conservationist, Michael Eustace told the South African TV show, Carte Blanche, recently that the solution to the poaching problem was to flood the market. He estimated that the revenue could be up to US$90 million per annum. By flooding the market, the price of the Rhino horn comes down, which means that the act of poaching these rhinos becomes less attractive. National Parks have obtained an estimated 40kg of horns which could be used to flood the market. However Travis disagrees, saying that the market will only keep

growing and eventually Zimbabwe will not be able to meet the demands of the consumers, and the poachers will return. He also argues that legalizing the sale of rhino horns would have to be a national effort in which all parties concerned would have to undertake the dehorning and legal sale of the horns. With the high level poaching syndicate that exists in Zimbabwe, it is unlikely that the selling of these horns would remain above board.

18-Nov-09 8:00 AM

Kenya: Row Over New Move to Allow Ivory Trade

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:00:00 GMT

Nairobi — Kenya is opposing a move by Tanzania to reintroduce the sale of ivory, saying it will increase elephant poaching in the region.

The Kenya Wildlife Service says Tanzania is taking advantage of a "malicious loophole" and proposing the sale of ivory during an international moratorium.

"We are convinced Tanzania has contravened the spirit of the (moratorium) agreement and Kenya is totally opposed to their proposal to sell ivory," said Mr Patrick Omondi, a KWS senior assistant director.

However, Tanzania's director of Wildlife Erasmus Tarimo disagrees and says they are following the agreements currently in place.

"We're doing what is best for our elephant population," he said in a phone interview, adding that revenues from the sale would go towards elephant conservation.

Ivory trade has been closely regulated since the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species imposed a worldwide ban in 1989. The number of African elephants had dropped from 1.3 million in 1973 to less than 500,000, due mainly to poaching, when the ban was put in place. Kenya has about 35,000 elephants.

Tanzania's proposal to down-list the African elephant from Appendix I (facing extinction) to Appendix II (less threatened) is joined by Zambia which has submitted a similar proposal of their own.

Kenya is not alone in the opposition to this sale. Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Togo, Mali, Rwanda, and the Republic of Congo are co-sponsors of the proposal on behalf of 21 other nations that support it, said Mr Omondi.

What concerns the KWS is not just that Tanzania will be selling instead of burning their stockpiles, but that they did not consult Kenya in spite of shared elephant populations.

17-Nov-09 2:00 PM

Yemen's Curved Dagger Sheathed by Time

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:00:00 GMT

Yemen's curved dagger is not as widely used as it once was. Photo: AFP "It will soon be the end of the jambia," bemoans Khaled al-Saikal, an antiques dealer in the souk of the Old City in Sanaa whose windows are brimming with precious and less precious versions of the jambia, or curved dagger.

Saikal has been in the trade for the past 25 years and says he has overseen the gradual decline of what is seen in traditional Yemeni society as "the symbol of the pride of Yemeni men".

Dating back centuries to the pre-Islamic era, as depicted in bas reliefs, the Yemeni dagger is used for self-defence and in traditional dance, in which men waving it over the head as they spin.

"What makes a jambia valuable is the handle, with those made of rhinoceros horn the most precious. And its age," explains Saikal.

Under international pressure due to the convention on international trade in endangered species, Yemen announced last summer that it has placed a ban on such imports for the past two years.

An old jambia crafted by a top artisan can be worth a fortune.

In June the official daily Al-Jumhuriya put an estimate of $1 million (£595,000) each on two jambias owned by the country's most senior tribal chiefs, Sadek al-Ahmar and Naji Shaef.

Their weapons were taken from Imam Yahia, the last sovereign of Yemen when he was overthrown in a republican coup in 1962.

The third most prized jambia in the Arabian peninsula state belongs to President Ali Abdullah Saleh, according to the newspaper, but its origins and value have not been disclosed.

The jambia, worn on an embroidered belt, indicates social rank, profession and tribal origins. It also denotes local origins, with a sharp curve for eastern Yemen but an almost straight blade in the north.

The pointed sheath can indicate whether the bearer belongs to a socially elite family of judges or is a descendant of the Prophet Mohammed.

Poor examples of the jambia fill artisan and repairman Abdel Karim al-Barawi's tiny workshop in the Sanaa souk, where he uses plastic to create the handle.

"Blocks of plastic imported from China started to flood the market a year ago," he said, adding that some of the best models have fetched good prices despite the use of plastic.

"But some local manufacturers were up in arms and, here, imports are banned for the plastic used to carve the handles," he said.

Barawi also said the jambia business was facing tough times, not least because many young Yemenis have not inherited the passion. "You can't wear a jambia over trousers," he says, referring to the fact that the Western garment has been overtaking the traditional sarong.

Several different crafts depend on the jambia.

The blade is made from an alloy of metals, the belts are expertly embroidered, jewellers design and decorate the handles, while the sheath also has to be carved, sometimes in gold.

In tribal areas, a strict code governs the use of the jambia.

"During a dispute, touching the handle signals bellicose intent, pulling it half out is the equivalent of starting an attack," says Abdul Salam Kehili, an authority on the subject from eastern Yemen.

"Once brandished, blood is spilt and the parties involved have to go before a tribal council, which decides on compensation to be paid by the side which is considered to be an aggressor."

17-Nov-09 12:00 PM

L.A. Zoo Rhino Completes New Skin Cancer Treatment

Tue, 17 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

An Indian rhinoceros has successfully completed treatment for skin cancer, Los Angeles Zoo officials announced today.

Zoo veterinarians worked closely with oncologists from UCLA Medical Center to administer a treatment to Randa designed to deliver electronic, X-ray-based therapy directly to cancer sites with minimal radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue.

The treatment -- Axxent Electronic Brachytherapy or eBx -- has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for accelerated treatment of early stage breast cancer, skin cancer and endometrial indications. It was developed by Xoft Inc.

Zoo veterinarians were able to treat Randa, a 40-year-old, 4,000-pound Indian rhinoceros recently diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma under her horn, in her own habitat because the eBx treatment does not use a radioactive isotope and can be performed without the need for a lead shielded room.

"We are very happy with the outcome of Randa's cancer treatment and her recovery," said Lea Greer, Randa's primary veterinarian. "After the treatment sessions were completed, (Randa) quickly returned to her normal attitude, acting years younger and entertaining zoo visitors."

Xoft president and Chief Executive Officer Michael Klein said "it is very gratifying that advancements in treating cancer in people can now lead to improvements in animal care as well, at the zoo and in general veterinary practices."

Dr. Michael Steinberg, who chairs UCLA's radiation oncology department, said the eBx treatment has recently begun being used at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center.

17-Nov-09 11:00 AM

Poachers Kill 65 Elephants, 30 Rhinos in Zimbabwe: Official

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:00:00 GMT

HARARE - An international crime syndicate is behind an escalation in poaching in Zimbabwe which has slaughtered 65 elephants and 30 rhinos this year, a wildlife official said Monday.

"From January to October this year we have lost 65 elephants through poaching," Vitalis Chadenga, operations director of the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Authority told journalists.

"In the same period we have lost 24 black and six white rhinos. It is true that we have witnessed an escalation of poaching nationwide, particularly on private farms."

The black rhino is listed as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the white rhino is categorised as "near threatened."

"We do have a group of international gangsters, who are funding poachers around this part of the world and taking away many horns and it is a major problem," Chadenga said.

He could not provide numbers from last year, but said poaching was on the rise.

"We have arrested 2,500 poachers in the same period, ten poachers have been shot dead since the beginning of this year," Chadenga said.

Zimbabwe has a population of nearly 100,000 elephants, which Chadenga said has been growing over recent years, and is banned from international ivory trade.

The southern African nation has 26 tonnes of ivory in its stocks and four tonnes of rhino horns.

Last year, Zimbabwe auctioned four tonnes of ivory to buyers from Japan and China getting 487,162 dollars (380,268 euros). During the same period, Namibia, Botswana and South Africa sold a total of 102 tonnes of tusks.

The four countries are home to 312,000 elephants, and their government stocks of tusks came from natural deaths or the culling of herds to keep the population under control.

16-Nov-09 1:00 PM

Prehistoric Rhinos Roamed in Mexico, Say Scientists

Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Mexico City, Nov 13 (EFE) The rhinoceros fossils kept in a museum in western Mexico belonged to an ancient rhino species called Teleoceras hicksi that lived more than four million years ago, scientists have said.
The fossils were found in the Jalisco state in the 1960s and preserved at the Regional Paleontology Museum in the state capital Guadalajara.

“When we learned that nobody had studied the fossils, we took the initiative and today we’re describing for the first time a species that had been identified only in the US, lead researcher Ruben Guzman Gutierrez told EFE Thursday.

Remains of the species had been found to date in Nebraska, Colorado and Texas in the US, but never in Mexico, until these fossils were located in Jalisco’s Tecolotlan region.

Guzman, chairman of the Paleontology Department at the Tourism Secretariat for Aguascalientes state in central Mexico, said the fossils were found in the late 1960s in Tecolotlan.

In the 1970s, the fossils were displayed for the public “without any type of designation pertaining to the species”. Now it has been determined to what species the fossilised bones belong, an official of the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) said.

“Teleoceras hicksi had amphibian habits. It lived in areas with a humid tropical climate and ate grass,” Guzman said.

The animal was of medium size and had much smaller horns on its snout compared to the rhinoceros species today.

“The investigation was done so many years after (finding the fossils) because there was no funding and not enough paleontologists, and we’re sure that there’s still much to discover (about the species),” Guzman said.

News items on this page are from external sources and the International Rhino Foundation cannot be held responsible for the authenticity of their content, nor for the continuing presence of original links.

13-Nov-09 11:00 AM

Poor stork! 100-pound Rhino Born at Busch Gardens

Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:00:00 GMT

TAMPA - It's a girl!

Busch Gardens Tampa Bay welcomed a new baby white rhinoceros Wednesday.

The newborn — who has yet to be named — weighs an estimated 100 pounds. She is the third calf born to mother Mlaleni and father Tambo.

The October 2004 birth of Mlaleni and Tambo's first calf, Malaika, marked the first white rhino birth in the adventure park's history. Their second calf, Dakari, was born in August 2006, and their third, Crash, was born in May 2008.

This latest birth brings the black and white rhino population at the adventure park to 12. There are nine white and three black rhinos.

Mlelani, Tambo and another female white rhino were airlifted from Kruger National Park in South Africa in 2001. According to the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), a nonprofit organization dedicated to the protection of rhinos, a little over 14,530 white rhinos remain in the wild, and fewer than 170 live in zoological facilities across North America.

12-Nov-09 11:00 AM

RISE AND SHINE WITH THE RHINOS

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:00:00 GMT

Yulee, Fla -- Looking for the perfect holiday gift for those special someones who have everything and still want to save the world? How about a four-day, three-night safari with five of your favorite folks to experience some of the world’s most endangered species up close? And, you don’t even need to dust off your passport! For the second year, the International Rhino Foundation is offering a rare animal encounter for conservationists and animal lovers. In a special pre-holiday auction, the International Rhino Foundation will award the top bidder a one-of-a-kind “Rhino Rendezvous” for six people. The winning bidder will have a rare opportunity to spend four days and three nights at IRF’s headquarters at White Oak Conservation Center, just north of Jacksonville, Fla. “Rhino Rendezvous” includes ground transportation, meals, exceptional accommodations, recreational activities and access to a world-class conservation facility not open to the...

PROPOSED MOVE OF NORTHERN WHITE RHINOS FROM CAPTIVITY TO AFRICA

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:30:00 GMT

Dear Colleagues, Background Northern white rhinos (NWRs) formerly ranged over parts of north-western Uganda, southern Chad, south-western Sudan, the eastern part of Central African Republic, and north-eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). Devastated by poaching, only about 30 animals remained in DRC’s Garamba National Park by 1995. Garamba suffered from repeated incursions from the janjaweed militia and now the Lord’s Resistance Army. Manageable, containable subsistence poaching in the Park for bushmeat was replaced by full-scale poaching for rhino horn and elephant ivory. In 2005, a planned emergency translocation of five NWR from Garamba National Park to a sanctuary in Kenya became ensnared by political and local and national divisions and subsequently was cancelled. The only signs of possibly four NWRs were seen in August 2005, but the likelihood of any animals remaining now is improbable. In 2008, some of the world’s best rhino trackers were unable to confirm...

1,400 Square Feet of Carpet Meets 2,800 Pounds of Rhino

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 16:00:00 GMT

Yulee, FL; Birmingham, AL – The International Rhino Foundation has partnered with the Birmingham Zoo and Mohawk Industries in the ultimate test of carpet durability. Birmingham Zoo is set to install Mohawk’s SmartStrand® carpet in the indoor enclosure of Ricko, the Zoo’s eastern black rhino. The installation is part of a real-life demonstration of the campaign’s motto, If SmartStrand® can stand up to this wildlife, it can certainly stand up to your wildlife. We’re excited to partner with the Birmingham Zoo and Mohawk Industries for this unique event, said Dr. Susie Ellis, executive director of the International Rhino Foundation. This is a new and fun way to get our message out to the public while educating them on the serious issues facing rhinos in the wild. Beginning August 14, twelve-year old Ricko will live as usual in his enclosure—eating, sleeping, and doing everything that comes naturally to a 2,800-pound rhinoceros—yes, everything. Two webcams will catch all the...

EXPERTS SAY ZIMBABWE RHINO IN STATE OF CRISIS

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:00:00 GMT

Yulee, FL; Zimbabwe; London – Leading rhino conservation experts, The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and Save the Rhino, today called the rhino poaching situation in Zimbabwe an immediate crisis with long-term consequences and called for concerted action by the government of Zimbabwe and international agencies that are mandated to tackle poaching of endangered species and to regulate trade in wildlife products. In a conference call held with reporters from across the globe, the IRF and Save the Rhino said continued inaction undermines the country’s economic recovery because rhino poaching is threatening one of the key economic pillars for Zimbabwe -- ecotourism. Zimbabwe’s economic crisis is serious, but now Zimbabwe is in danger of losing its biological currency – rhinos and other wildlife, said Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the IRF, which funds anti-poaching patrols in five countries. This high-value biological currency could be a key factor in turning...

Media Alert: EXPERTS SAY ZIMBABWE RHINO IN STATE OF CRISIS

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 21:00:00 GMT

Yulee, FL; Zimbabwe; London – The world’s leading rhino experts are issuing an immediate call to action to save the critically endangered black rhinos. A conference call with leaders on three continents will be held this week to discuss the crisis caused by a doubling of poaching incidents in Zimbabwe. On Thursday, leaders of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and Save the Rhino will hold a conference call with reporters to discuss the long-term consequences of continued inaction and to call on leaders to take action now. Ecotourism has long been one of the key economic pillars for Zimbabwe and poaching is threatening Zimbabwe’s biological currency – rhinos and other wildlife. Participating in the call will be Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of the International Rhino Foundation, which funds anti-poaching patrols in five countries, Cathy Dean, Executive Director of Save the Rhino, the London-based organization which supports on-going rhino conservation through...

RHINOS IN FOCUS 2009

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Yulee, Florida -- Rhinos have walked the Earth for more than 50 million years. Today, all but one of the world’s five rhino species face extinction within the next 10 to 50 years. To help raise awareness about rhinos and their plight, the International Rhino Foundation invites photography enthusiasts of all skill levels to enter RHINOS IN FOCUS, the 2009 IRF Photography Contest. Winners will be chosen from three categories and will receive prizes as well as recognition on the IRF website and in other publications. The GRAND PRIZE winning photo will be featured in IRF’s 2008 Annual Report. Participants are invited to enter a digital photo in one of three categories on Flickr (www.Flickr.com) between February 1, 2009 and February 28, 2009. 1. Rhinos in Zoos 2. Rhinos in the Wild 3. Express Your Inner Rhino (be creative!) IRF’s panel of judges will select 10 finalists from each category by March 14, 2009, and then the public gets to choose the winners! Vote...

Rise and Shine with the Rhinos

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Yulee, Fla -- Looking for the perfect holiday gift for those special someones who have everything and still want to save the world? How about a four-day safari with five of your favorite folks to experience some of the world’s most endangered species up close? And, you don’t even need to dust off your passport! The International Rhino Foundation, which made international ‘bizarre holiday gift’ news last year by auctioning rhino poop on eBay, has toned it down this year, but beefed up the offerings: This year they’re offering a rare animal encounter for conservationists and animal lovers. In a special pre-holiday auction, the International Rhino Foundation will award the top bidder a one-of-a-kind Rhino Rendezvous for six people. The winning bidder will have a rare opportunity to spend four days at IRF’s headquarters at White Oak Conservation Center, just north of Jacksonville, Fla. Rhino Rendezvous includes ground transportation, meals, exceptional accommodations,...

Poachers Walk Free as Assault on Zimbabwe Rhinos Escalates

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Harare, Zimbabwe – A breakdown in law enforcement against rhino poaching and horn smuggling in Zimbabwe is threatening the success of more than a decade's work bringing rhino populations back up to healthy levels. Typical of the problem is the recent release of a gang of four Zimbabwean rhino poachers who admitted to killing 18 rhinos in five different areas of central Zimbabwe, including a semi-tame group of black rhinos slaughtered in their pens at Imire Safari Ranch. The poachers, also alleged to have been involved in a number of armed robberies and arrested with several illegal firearms, were initially denied bail and it was reported that the four had received lengthy jail sentences. However, WWF was recently informed by authorities that the poachers were subsequently granted bail, were freed and immediately absconded. Rhino poaching has been increasing throughout Zimbabwe including in the Lowveld Conservancies in southern Zimbabwe, home to three quarters of the country's...

CBS joins with International Rhino Foundation

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:00:00 GMT

Cardboard Safari has joined with the International Rhino Foundation, an organization that is dedicated to the survival of the world’s rhino species through conservation and research, to spread awareness about the plight of the rhino. Rhinos have existed on Earth for more than 50 million years. In the past, rhinos were much more diverse and widespread (occurring in North America and Europe as well as in Africa and Asia). Today, only five species of rhinos survive. All rhinos are under threat of extinction, and all but one species is on the verge of extinction. Without drastic action, some rhinos could be extinct in the wild within the next 10-20 years. Cardboard Safari offers premium-quality animal figures made of recycled cardboard. Rhino, Deer, Moose and Bison heads are currently available in both brown and white cardboard. Each animal puzzle is laser-cut for precision fit, easily assembles using slotted construction and is made to mount on the wall. When owner Chris Jesse...

World's rarest rhinos make first video trap appearance - then toss camera

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:00:00 GMT

JAKARTA--After just a month in operation, specially designed video cameras installed to capture rhino footage in the jungles of Indonesia have twice recorded remarkable images of the world's rarest rhino accompanied by a calf. But the success was not without incident as after a short inspection, one rhino mother charged the camera and sent it flying on one of the occasions in Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia. Javan rhinos occur only in that park and one in Vietnam. With fewer than 60 Javan rhinos left in the wild, we believe this footage was well worth the risk to our equipment, said Adhi Rachmat Hariyadi, who leads WWF-Indonesia's project in Ujung Kulon National Park. It’s very unusual to catch a glimpse of the Javan rhinos deep inside the rain forest. The motion triggered infrared video traps are a useful way to observe them and the ways they use their habitat in a more detailed way. We are proposing a test translocation of a few Javan rhinos in the near future...

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 19:30:29 GMT

Looking for that perfect holiday gift for the family (or group of friends, or corporate team) that wants to help save rhinos? How about a 4-day, 3-night safari to see (and protect) some of the world’s most endangered species? And, you don’t even need to dust off your passport! For the second year, IRF is pleased to offer this truly unique opportunity, usually reserved for the world’s foremost scientists, global and corporate leaders, and select members of the White Oak Conservation Center Foundation. And, it’s all yours… for the winning bid. Just go to www.rhinosirf.cmarket.com by December 15th and place your bid on this remarkable and memorable expedition, valued at $25,000. (The bidding starts at $2,500.) The winner will be announced on December 16th. Bid Today! This unique package, Rhino Rendezvous, will give your group a rare opportunity to spend 4 days and 3 nights at IRF’s headquarters at the White Oak...

Adopt a Rhino

Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:32:12 GMT

The Sumatran rhinoceros is one of the most endangered mammals on Earth. No more than 200 animals survive in small, isolated forest fragments in Indonesia and Malaysia. You can help to protect the Sumatran rhino from extinction by adopting a rhino at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary! The Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS), a 250-acre complex located within Way Kambas National Park in Sumatra, Indonesia, is currently home to five rhinos that are part of an intensively managed research and breeding program aimed at increasing the Sumatran rhino population in the wild. At the sanctuary, the rhinos reside in large, open areas where they can experience a natural rainforest habitat while still receiving state-of-the-art veterinary care and nutrition. You may choose to adopt any of the five rhinos at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary for as many days as you would like, either in your own name, or as a gift for a relative or friend who supports wildlife conservation! In honor of each adoption,...

Holiday Gift Ideas

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:10:15 GMT

This year, you can give the animal lover in your life a gift that will help to save rhinos! Looking for that perfect holiday gift for the family (or group of friends, or corporate team) that wants to help save rhinos? How about a 4-day, 3-night safari to see (and protect) some of the world’s most endangered species? And, you don’t even need to dust off your passport! For the second year, IRF is pleased to offer this truly unique opportunity, usually reserved for the world’s foremost global and corporate leaders, and select members of the White Oak Conservation Center Foundation. And, it’s all yours … for the winning bid. Just go to www.rhinosirf.cmarket.com by December 15th and place your bid on this remarkable and memorable expedition, valued at $25,000. (The bidding starts at $2,500.) The winner will be announced on December 16th. This unique package, Rhino Rendezvous, will give your group a rare...

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 15:07:17 GMT

Suggested Daily Itinerary

The Rhino Rendezvous experience will be custom-tailored to your request.

Breakfast
Enjoy breakfast at your leisure or opt for a freshly prepared morning meal.

Morning Game Drives
Join members of our Conservation Center staff as we venture throughout the Conservation Center during feeding times for rhinos, cheetahs, antelope, and birds. You’ll have the opportunity for close-up photos, without a zoom lens!

Conservation Center Activities:

Rhino tour and feeding experience
Bird and Antelope Viewing
Giraffe Feeding Experience
Avian Tour and Feeding Experience
Veterinary Tour
Kayaking with Conservation Center naturalist
Nature Walk
Informational briefings with International Rhino Foundation Staff.

Lunch
Enjoy a private lunch with your group at one of White Oak’s spectacular dining venues.

White Oak Plantation Activities:

Canoeing or kayaking
Sporting Clays
Biking
Horseback-riding
Golf
Game Room

Sundowner River Cruise
Guests can enjoy cocktails as they cruise the St. Mary’s River.

Gourmet Dinner
Enjoy your evening and a spectacular, private meal at one of White Oak’s exceptional dining venues.

After-Dinner
Enjoy activities in the Game Room.

Back to main Rhino Redezvous page.

Projects in the Field

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:10:30 GMT

Conservation Medicine

The Rhino Conservation Medicine Program, a unique collaboration between the International Rhino Foundation, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and the Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, provides high-level veterinary medical support for global rhino conservation efforts both in the wild and in captivity. More...

Birth Announcements

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:42:58 GMT

October 2009

Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary in Uganda announce the birth of their second calf in 2009.

Bella, a 10 year old cow from Solio, (who had a stillborn calf in March 2008)
gave birth to a healthy calf on October 7 2009.

Obama, born on June 24, 2009, was the first rhino calf born in Uganda in
more than 28 years (Photo taken at 2 weeks old)

Raoul du Toit, IRF's African Rhino Program Advisor and Director of the Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe Honored

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 16:10:27 GMT

Raoul du Toit and the Husky aircraft used in
rhino monitoring in Zimbabwe’s Lowveld.

We are pleased to announce that Raoul du Toit, IRF’s African Rhino Program Advisor and Director of the Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe, was awarded the prestigiousSir Peter Scott Award for Conservation Merit from the IUCN Species Survival Commission. The Sir Peter Scott Award, the SSC’s highest honor, is presented to individuals in recognition of significant and long term service to conservation through their work with the SSC or associated institutions.

Congratulations, Raoul!

Raoul du Toit and Dr. Holly Dublin from the IUCN Species Survival Commission after the awards ceremony.

Thank you for completing our survey!

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:15:37 GMT

Thank you for your participation and we look forward to your responses.

African Rhino Specialist Group, IUCN Species Survivial Commission

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:37:31 GMT

The African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG), like its counterpart in the Asian Rhino Specialist Group (AsRSG) is among the 100+ Specialist Groups in the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of IUCN - The World Conservation Union. Its mission is to promote the development and long term maintenance of viable populations of the various sub-species of African rhinos in the wild. Its membership consists of official country representatives from the main range states and a number of specialist members covering a wide range of skills. The AfRSG routinely develops and promotes recommended best practices for a range of rhino conservation activities and has produced an Action Plan for the conservation of rhino species. The Group has also developed a system for priority rating both populations and potential projects for their continental importance to assist donors spend their money effectively. AfRSG members have for many years been actively involved in a number of regional rhino conservation...

Just for Kids

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 01:20:33 GMT

Rhino Origami: Download this easy guide sheet so you can make your very own origami rhino! Rhino Cards Zimbabwe: The Rhino Cards are an education pack for children and teacher that were developed for use in Zimbabwe by the SADC Regional Program for Rhino Conservation. Rhino Cards Zimbabwe (Teachers Guide): The Teacher's pages contain additional information on rhino conservation issues and a section containing guildelines for the use of the Rhino Cards and suggested class exercises. Make Your Own Savannah: Color your own savannah and then place your animals in their habitat. Designed by Givskud Zoo. Get Involved! You can help rhinos! Visit our fundraising idea page to get ideas on how you can raise awareness about rhino conservation! Write a poem! Read this beautiful poem written by Eva Malone, age 9. Rhino Silhouettes: Silhouettes of three rhino species so the sizes can be compared. Also includes...

E-Newsletter Online Survey

noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 02:00:00 GMT

Objectives:

Release Date: 14-Oct-09 9:00 PM
Expiration Date: 30-Oct-10 9:00 AM
Please take a few moments to give us your feedback on our e-newsletter. The International Rhino Foundation wants to know how we can best keep you updated on our news. The survey will take approximately five to ten minutes to complete.

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noemail@rhinos-irf.org — Fri, 31 Aug 2007 14:51:57 GMT

Objectives:

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Release Date: 31-Aug-07 9:51 AM
Expiration Date: 30-Nov-07 9:51 AM

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Carla's Crate

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Carla’s crate is carefully loaded onto a truck for transport.

Diniwe's New Calf

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

It’s not always bad news. When rhino monitors had not seen Diniwe for some time, they feared she had been poached, and conducted an exhaustive search. They finally found her laying low with a new calf!

Umlali - poached

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Umlali had previously been caught twice in poachers’ snares, but both times, staff from the Lowveld Rhino Trust were able to operate and save her life. This time though, the poachers shot and killed Umlali.

Translocation

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

The Lowveld Rhino Trust translocates rhinos living in areas with high poaching-risk to safer areas.

The Gang

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Blondie, Millie and Sassy, three young black rhino orphans, exploring their boma. When the three are old enough, they will be released back into the wild.

Rhino Horns

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Responding to a report of shots fired, rhino rangers tracked a group of poachers who had fatally shot a bull and calf, wounded the calf’s mother, and most likely killed another female as well. The poachers were after the rhinos’ horns, which can fetch thousands of dollars per kilogram on the black market. This time, the rangers reached the dead rhinos first and confiscated the horns, but unfortunately they were too late to save the rhinos.

Horn removal

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

The Lowveld Rhino Trust is increasingly removing rhinos’ horns to reduce the incentive for poachers to target them. This rhino is also having it’s ears notched so that rangers can identify and monitor it.

Express delivery

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

An express delivery – rhino calves are sometimes translocated by helicopter, rather than truck, to reduce the amount of time they have to be immobilized.

Carla soon after poaching

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

This young rhino, called “Carla”, was shot and cut with an axe by poachers. Her mother was murdered, and she was too young to survive on her own. Luckily she was rescued, treated, and nursed back to health by the Style family.

Carla prior to transport

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:35:36 GMT

Once she was old enough, Carla was immobilized and translocated to one Zimbabwe’s lowveld conservancies, where she could live in a large, enclosed boma within the conservancy.

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2007-08-31T14:51:57Z

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