The Congo Basin
Taeeun, Julia, Maddie, Prasant, Riley (period 5)
Recovering Species - White Rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum
Habitat and Location
Ecological Niche
Value
ecological: By grazing, rhinos keep their savanna biome in order. Rhinos are also considered a keystone species. The threat of the rhino’s extinction was particularly concerning because it has been found that losses of similar “megaherbivores” have been harbingers for mass extinctions.
socio-political: The poaching and near-extinction of the white rhino before it was revived coincides with the ongoing political and ethnic conflicts in sub-Saharan Africa.
economic: The white rhinos, hunted for their special horn, are an important source of income for some hunters in Africa -- this is why many people poach them. Rhino horns have been historically known for symbolizing wealth and economic prosperity in Asian countries, which has led to more poaching.
- intrinsic/aesthetic: Rhino horns are made of keratin and contain high levels of various amino acids. In China, there is a high demand for rhino horns because it is sold in many chinese medicine shops. In the western world, Rhino horns are in high demand due to the myth that they are an aphrodisiac and hangover cure.
Causes for Endangerment
Consequences of the Loss of Species
Rate of Loss
Endangered Species - Chimpanzee, Pan troglodytes
Habitat and Location
The chimpanzee lives in the woody savanna, in Western and Central Africa.
Ecological Niche
Value
Cause for Endangerment
Consequences of Loss of the Species
Rate of Loss
Extinct Species - Rodrigues Solitaire, Pezophaps solitaria
Location and Habitat
Ecological Niche
Value
Causes for Extinction or Endangerment
Consequences of the Loss of the Species
Works' Cited
"10 Comparisons Between Chimps and Humans - Listverse." Listverse. 13 Feb. 2012. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
"ChimpanzeePan Troglodytes." Primate Factsheets: Chimpanzee (Pan Troglodytes) Conservation. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
"Chimpanzees: How They Have Become an Endangered Species." Guardian Liberty Voice. 13 June 2014. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
"Conservation & Threats." Conservation & Threats. Web. 14 Dec. 2015.
"Eastern Black Rhinoceros." Eastern Black Rhinoceros. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Eastern Black Rhinoceros." Eastern Black Rhinoceros. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Poaching for Rhino Horn." Rhino Poaching. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Recently Extinct Animals - Species Info - Rodrigues Solitaire." Recently Extinct Animals - Species Info - Rodrigues Solitaire. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"Support the." Pan Troglodytes (Chimpanzee, Common Chimpanzee, Robust Chimpanzee). Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"WHITE RHINO SAVED FROM EXTINCTION." All About Wildlife RSS. 27 Dec. 2011. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"What Will Happen after the Rhinos Are Gone? - Conservation." Conservation RSS. 19 Feb. 2014. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"White Rhinoceroses, White Rhinoceros Pictures, White Rhinoceros Facts - National Geographic." National Geographic. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.
"White Rhinoceros." WWF -. Web. 15 Dec. 2015.