How To Protect Over 300 Rhinos: One Man's Mission at Rockwood

Watch the story of one man's mission to save the southern white rhino from extinction. It's the story about Rockwood and how dedication can lead to the successful protection of rhino.
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https://life.rockwoodconservation.com...

Without the commitment of people like Wicus Diedericks, who made protecting rhino his life's work, the southern white rhino could be extinct in less than ten years. With Rockwood's successful "aggressive conservation" method, Wicus and his team have managed to raise and care for over 300 rhinos successfully.

Rhinos are critically endangered across Africa mainly due to the rampant poaching of their horn, but also because of climate change, habitat loss, as well as growing human populations. Political conflict across the continent also threatens the species' survival since it makes it easier for poachers to work with criminal syndicates in unstable political environments.

Charities, non-profit organizations, and governments have committed to protecting rhinos from complete extermination. Still, if Asia's demand for rhino horn doesn't diminish, we will lose the battle. It won't only be a significant loss to future generations but also Africa's ecosystems. Over the last 20 years, it's been discovered how a single species disappearing from an area can create unpredictable imbalances in an ecosystem.

Rhinos are an umbrella species, sitting at the top of the food chain with no natural predators. As Africa's biggest grazers, they affect the ecosystems they live in by changing the composition and ever-shifting tapestry of vegetation. Acting like giant lawnmowers, they reduce certain kinds of grass so other types can grow which other grazers like antelope rely on, which are in turn hunted by predators.

The natural balancing of resources allows every species within a system to survive, reproduce, and continue the cycle of life as they have for millions of years. The sudden disappearance of a species means the natural checks and balances maintaining that ecosystem, are thrown out. If the gap left by a species isn't filled, rebalancing the system, it could mean unforeseen consequences for the environment, behavioral changes among species in the area and even changes to the landscape.

How can you help save the rhino?

Follow the link to find out how you can be part of the Rockwood rhino protection team. https://rockwoodconservation.com/