Endangered African black rhinos gradually increase in number

admin 2020年7月24日

Vocabulary:

director general /dih-REK-ter JEN-er-uhl/

[noun] – the person who is in charge of a big organization
Inger Andersen was appointed Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in January 2015.

extinction /ik-STINGK-shuhn/

[noun] – a situation in which something no longer exists
The extinction of the dinosaurs happened millions of years ago.

subspecies /SUHB-spee-sheez/

[noun] – a particular type within a species, the members of which are different in some clear ways from those of other types of the species
Three out of eight subspecies of tiger – the Bali, Caspian, and Javan tigers are declared extinct.

countermeasure /KOUN-ter-mezh-er /

[noun] – an action taken against an unwanted action or situation
The government should come up with countermeasures to reduce the crime in the country.

expenditure /ik-SPEN-di-cher/

[noun] – the act of using or spending energy, time, or money
The expenditure of effort on this event has been extensive.

New figures have shown that the population of critically endangered African black rhinos is gradually increasing, thanks to the conservationists’ efforts. According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the total number of African Black rhinos increased from 4,845 in 2012 to 5,630 in 2018. Dr. Grethel Aguilar, acting director general of IUCN, said that these rhinos are still unsafe from extinction. However, the increase in population proves the massive efforts made by countries that these animals live in and a great reminder to the world that conservation works. The population data shows that the black rhinos will continue to increase gradually in the next five years, said IUCN.

There has been consistent population growth of the southwestern black rhinos over the last three generations. However, the two other subspecies, the southeastern and eastern, remain critically endangered due to population decline between the 1970s and 1990s. While poaching is still the main threat to these species, the IUCN said that the countermeasures have improved the conditions. The poaching of rhinos declined from 1,349 in 2015 to 892 rhinos in 2018. Dr. Richard Emslie, Red List authority coordinator for the IUCN Species Survival Commission’s African Rhino Specialist Group, said that to maintain the progress, “continued expenditure and efforts will be necessary”.

True or False:

The population African black rhinos is slowly increasing due to the conservationists’ efforts.
The total number of African Black rhinos increased from 4,845 in 2012 to 5,630 in 2018.
According to The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the population data shows the black rhinos numbers will continue to increase gradually in the next two years.
Poaching is still the main threat to black rhinos.
The northeastern and eastern rhinos are still critically endangered due to population decline between the 1970s and 1990s.

Discussion Questions:

Do you think it is important to save critically endangered species? Why or why not?
Why do you think species become endangered?
In what ways can people help to save endangered species?
What are the programs of your government in regards to saving animals?
If you could save one endangered animal, what would it be and why?

Express Your Opinion:

“We all have a responsibility to protect endangered species, both for their sake and for the sake of our own future generations.” — Loretta Lynch
“Conservation of any endangered species must begin with stringent efforts to protect its natural habitat by the enforcement of rigid legislation against human encroachment into parks and other game sanctuaries.” — Dian Fossey
“Animals are, like us, endangered species on an endangered planet, and we are the ones who are endangering them, it, and ourselves. They are innocent sufferers in a hell of our making.” — Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson