Northern White Rhino thread.
Sadly, they've been functionally extinct for a couple decades now, as the individuals in captivity were too old to reproduce.
I hope that the publicity gained here can translate into action. It was globalism that killed the rhinos and others.
Sadly, they've been functionally extinct for a couple decades now, as the individuals in captivity were too old to reproduce.
I hope that the publicity gained here can translate into action. It was globalism that killed the rhinos and others.
The rapid explosion in wealth in China not only hollowed out the US, it destroyed many hard-won achievements in endangered species recovery and habitat loss reversal.
Rhino horn, ivory, tiger body parts, gorilla hands, pangolins: the trade in endangered species parts is fueled by the Chinese nouveau riche. PRC is a signatory of the CITES treaty, but as per everything else in China: the only crime is getting caught.
The climate change crusade has made it immeasurably worse. The hue and cry of "Climate change" = "Environmentalism" means that there's no money, no support, no research, being funneled into traditional environmental issues.
The Northern White rhino is now an extinct subspecies of the White Rhino, the only living species is the Southern White. I love the San Diego Zoo, and here is a photo of Angalifu, the Northern White male that lived there for many years. flic.kr/p/PFKzQ
Rhinos are tricky in captivity. @sandiegozoo almost single-handedly preserved the Southern White from a few dozen transported to California in the 60's. Captive populations are notoriously difficult to keep sustainable due to a mysterious quirk in reproduction.
There is some good news for the Northern Whites, however. Scientists have been researching like crazy, and collecting reproductive material (which is exactly what you think it is) from the remaining individuals such as Angalifu and the individual who died yesterday.
The plan is to use AI and/or gene manipulation with Southern White females to resurrect the species. It will probably succeed; exactly when, I couldn't say. Once 2nd generation SW rhinos can reproduce reliably in captivity...
... I'd expect a 'Jurassic Park' kind of resurrection for the Northern subspecies.
Rhinos. A tale of the very worst and the very best in humanity.
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Rhinos. A tale of the very worst and the very best in humanity.
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unroll!
