6. Javan Rhino
The large mammal is elusive and is the least studied of the rhinos. They can live 30-40 years and are solitary except for mating and parenting. Two very small populations live in Java in the Ujung Kulon National Park, and in Vietnam’s Cat Tien Park. Javans used to have the largest population of the rhinos, living in Indonesia, China, Southeast Asia and India. But it has been driven right to the brink of extinction mainly due to poaching. The horn is in great demand for traditional chinese medicine, and one kilogram can bring $30,000. Apparently it is believed the horn when ground up can be used to ‘cure’ a wide range of things, some of which are not medical conditions: “To expel fear and anxiety, to calm the liver and clear the vision. ”
At the point of sale, when it has already been powdered it is very difficult to confirm if the actual products contain any true rhino horn because some sellers are substituting the bones of other animals to exploit gullible buyers. (Besides the fact that it has never been validated scientifically).
Population: Less than 60
Reproduction: Females give birth probably every 1-3 years. Gestation lasts 15-16 months.
What Can I Do? Never purchase any products that are advertised as made from Javan Rhino horn, or any rhino. Tell friends and relatives about the perils of those kinds of products made from animals parts. Keep in mind they actually might made be made from dog bones or other more common animals. (Regardless of what the seller says). Donate to the International Rhino Foundation. Image Credit: Public Domain
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Posted by E.J. on Sunday, April 19th, 2009 at 10:04:06
Posted in Environment, World
Tags: Amur, Andalucia, animals, antelope, biodiversity, Cameroon, cetacean, China, conservation, Dagestan, EcoWorldly, extinction, frog, gorilla, Java, leopard, lynx, Mexico, Nigeria, rhino, Russian, Saiga, Silky Sifafka, Spanish, Sumatra, tiger, traditional chinese medicine, USA, vaquita, Vietnam
