Earth's Voice
Edition 1: The Rhinos are crying out for help
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"It's our duty to be the VOICE of all living things!"
Peace, Tijana
- RHINO FACTS -
Home Sweet Home
Two of the things we are most proud of nowadays are our homes and our countries. They give us a sense of belonging and make us happy. But we’re not the only beings that enjoy being in their home area and their home country, that’s why when a rhino is sent to a new game reserve or a zoo it takes some time to adjust.
These animals have been roaming the earth for over 30 million years which means they have had a long time to adapt to survive in the many different habitats that they are. It is through these adaptations that the various subspecies of rhinos evolved into what they are today: the Javan Rhino, the Sumatran rhino, the White Rhino, the Black Rhino and the Greater One-Horned Rhino. All of these species are being targeted by poachers, and are under serious threat of extinction.
White Rhino
To many South Africans these rhinos live in our backyard as we can go to so many game reserves to see them. They prefer the Grassland, Savannah and Shrubland territory. As much as these large animals love to play in the grass they also love to wallow in the mud and enjoy their lives. We can find White Rhinos in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Kenya, Swaziland, Zambia, Uganda and Swaziland.
Black Rhino
Currently, there are fewer than six thousand Black Rhinos left on the earth and they live in South Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Namibia, Kenya and Zimbabwe. They all love to be under the African sun in biomes such as the Grasslands, Shrubland, Savannah and Deserts.
Greater One-horned Rhino
This type of rhino also known as the Rhinoceros unicornis lives in Asia rather than in Africa with the before mentioned rhinos. The countries that they live in are both India and Nepal. Like their sister species they call the Savannah, Grasslands and Shrubland home.
Javan Rhino
This subspecies is critically endangered as there are fewer than fifty Javan Rhinos which are still walking the Indonesian land. They prefer to live in forests and are more likely to leave their homes in an attack then actually face the invaders.
Sumatran Rhino
These rhinos love to spend their time wallowing in mud in their Indonesian and Malaysian homes. They call the forests their homes and are hairier than any of the other types of rhinos. There are less than one hundred of these rhinos left.
- RHINO NEWS -
Celebrities that care about Rhino
We all have favourite animals just like we have favourite celebrities. After all, those are often some of the first few questions we ask when we meet someone new. It is a great topic of conversation but surely they should mean more to us than that. More than just a name we can say or a face we look for in magazines. They’re people and animals we smile at when we see even in the worst times. This is why we say that they’re special to us. But, what happens if we wake up one morning and we hear that they no longer exist. This has happened to Dodo, Quagga, Golden Toad, Javan Tiger, Caribbean Monk Seal and many more animals. Many of us haven’t even heard of these animals and the people who used to love these animals simply found other favourite animals. The weird thing is that this would never happen with most celebrities. When Michael Jackson died the whole world mourned for him and now, years later he is still mentioned on the radio or in magazines from time to time. He will never be forgotten even though he was just one person. How could we forget thousands and thousands of animals and still remember one person just because we liked his music? (This is just one example but there are many other celebrities).
So, in order to prevent this from happening over and over again it’s time for the youth to stand up and fight. We don’t have to literally pick up swords, all we have to do is start speaking up against poaching. If we prevent these precious animals from going extinct, then our children’s children will still get to see them and we’ll be able to teach the older generations that we can be heroes as well.
We will show our support, and encourage more celebrities to be like Jackie Chan and Leonardo DiCaprio by helping to save their favourite animals and the ones in need. Because after all; it is not our words that will be remembered when we fade into old age but rather our actions.
TV presenter David Attenborough
Prince William
Chinese celebrity Yao Ming
Did you know...
- Jackie Chan recently filmed an advertisement directed to Chinese and Vietnamese audiences in an effort to stop rhino poaching.
- The last time a person saw a Javan Tiger was 1979.
- The Caribbean Monk Seal was also called the West Indian Monk Seal.
- The Golden Toad was discovered 23 years before it went extinct
- Dodos couldn’t fly.
- Only five photos were taken of living Quaggas.
Ways that you can help...
- Tell a person about the rhino’s plight every day.
- Buy Rhino Badges from Rhino SA.
- Like Rhino SA on Facebook and follow us on twitter to get instant updates.
- Don’t let someone tell you that there’s nothing you can do because you’re too young.
- RHINO FUN -
Ron searches for a Rhino
Ron was awake even though it was so early. As his friends all dreamed in their beds he sat on the game drive searching the bush for his favourite animal.
“Where are all of the rhinos, mommy?” He asked handing the binoculars to his older sister. His mother smiled and put her arm around his shoulder, “I’m sure they’re busy playing games before the sun gets too hot.” Ron raised an eyebrow in confusion. “Rhinos aren't humans; they don’t play games.”His father laughed, “Just because we don’t look like them we still have things in common.”
Ron’s dad is right, there are many things we and rhinos both have such as: two eyes, two legs, two ears, nostrils, a mouth, skin, a head, a body, a heart, a brain and we both love to have fun.
Many humans (especially us children) love to play games; but unfortunately rhinos don’t know how to play tag, noughts and crosses, board games or computer games. So, what games do rhinos actually play?
Playing in the mud
One of their favourite games would definitely involve mud, it wouldn’t be like the stuck-in-the-mud that we play but that doesn’t mean that it’s not fun. In fact, their game is more like when we splash each other to see who can get the wettest; except it’s with mud. It sounds gross but rhinos use mud to protect themselves from sunburn as they don’t have any sunscreen.
Being tickled
Besides games, there is another activity that makes a rhino happy. Being tickled. Yes, just like most humans rhinos love to be tickled. The fact that this can only be done when they’re with a human makes those moments even rarer and it strengthens the bond between the person and the animal they’re caring for.
Playing with a ball
Another game that rhinos play wouldn’t feel like a game if you were watching it because this is when rhinos mock charge. This game is just like when we play tricks on our friends on April Fool’s Fay; even though the trick may not be too fun seeing how our friends react makes us laugh and the trick feel worth it. But, the rhinos need to be careful because their mock charge may seem like a threat and the other animal may fight back.
What do Rhinos and Humans have in common?
- Earth's Voice School of the Month -
St. Dunstan's College Pre-School
- Earth's Voice CHAMPION OF THE MONTH -
Charisse on a Mission
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- Earth's Voice Editorial -
Kirsten Everett
Tijana Huysamen
Irene Huysamen
Rhino SA: Green Wall of Africa SEE Projects (NPO)
Email: irene@rhinosa.co.za
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