Nov 10, 2011 Africa's Western Black Rhino Declared Extinct

The International Union for the Conservation of Nature is officially declaring the western black rhino of Africa extinct. In its latest assessment of the situation, the IUCN says two other sub-species of rhinoceros also are close to extinction.

Despite the action of conservation programs, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature warns many sub-species of rhinos may soon be a thing of the past. The deputy director of IUCN's Global Species program, Jean-Christophe Vie, tells VOA poaching is the main threat to the survival of the rhinoceros.

"People just shooting them to take their horn. So, that is it," Vie said. "That is what also killed the latest rhino in Vietnam, just poaching. People just want to make money out of the horn. So, by doing that, they undermine all the potential of rhinos for the development of economic opportunity in tourism. Rhinos in the world are really attractive animals. So, in a way, it is undermining the potential of the countries to develop responsible tourism and generate income."

The report says a sub-species of the white rhino in central Africa, the northern white rhino, is currently teetering on the brink of extinction and has been listed as "possibly extinct in the wild."

It says the Javan rhino also is making its last stand. It says the sub-species is probably extinct, following the poaching of what is thought to be the last animal in Vietnam in 2010.

But, Jean-Christophe Vie says not everything is bad news. He says there still are two or three rhino species that are considered conservation successes. He says the black and white rhinos are doing much better in southern and eastern Africa.




The Great Day of Annihilation

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[TheAngrySwampMan]

just wait till they evolve so they can survive our shit. them frogs are gonna kick our asses.

[WaterKirin]

"Good job", human.

"GOOD JOB!"

[riekotz]

T_T another animal is driven to extinction due to selfishness of mankind...