answersLogoWhite

0

Rhinoceros are endangered for two reasons.

First, and probably most importantly, is that rhinoceroses have been over-hunted for their ivory horns, and they continue to be illegally hunted (poached) for their horns. Some animal species can withstand some hunting, because their populations quickly replenish themselves. However, like many other very large mammals, they reproduce slowly, and thus cannot easily replace their populations.

Second is habitat destruction. They need ample space to find food, and, additionally, human settlements keep breaking up the areas where rhinoceroses live. This makes it harder for mates to find each other, and thus still harder for them to reproduce and replenish their depleted populations.

Three ways you can help rhinoceroses are by:

  • Avoiding wood products that do not have the FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) symbol. This symbol means that the wood was harvested sustainably, and thus does not contribute to habitat destruction. This is especially important if the wood product is a tropical wood, because then it is more likely that it came from a rhinoceros habitat.
  • Donating to organizations, such as the World Wildlife Fund, that work to arrest poachers.
  • Last (but CERTAINLY NOT LEAST), be sure to avoid buying palm oil products. This is important because the expansion of palm oil plantations in Southeast Asia is one of the major contributors to the habitat destruction of Asian rhinoceroses.
User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?