Saving the Black Rhino | National Geographic

Summary

This video from National Geographic explores the conservation efforts at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas to preserve the endangered black rhino. Originally brought from Zimbabwe as a safeguard against extinction due to poaching, the center has been breeding rhinos since 1992. A significant moment was the introduction of Kimona, a new black rhino bull with a unique bloodline, to help diversify the gene pool and increase population resilience. Despite challenges like poaching and habitat loss, the video emphasizes the importance of human intervention in saving these majestic creatures for future generations.

Highlights

• Kimona, a black rhino bull, was introduced to diversify the genetics of the U.S. rhino population. 🆕
• Rhinos were brought to Texas from Zimbabwe as an 'insurance policy' against extinction. 🇿🇼
• Fossil Rim celebrated the birth of Kimona's son, a new generation of hope, in 2005. 👶
• The danger posed by poachers to rhinos in the wild is a significant conservation challenge. ⚔️
• Animals at Fossil Rim are part of a critical effort to ensure species survival and genetic strength. 🏞️

Key Takeaways

• The Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Texas is a haven for endangered African rhinos. 🦏
• Kimona, a new black rhino bull, brought fresh genetic diversity to the U.S. conservation efforts. 🌍
• Poaching and habitat loss have drastically reduced rhino populations; action is crucial for their survival. 🔍
• Human intervention and conservation initiatives are key to saving black rhinos from extinction. 👥
• The birth of Kimona’s son in 2005 marked a success in boosting rhino populations. 🎉

Overview

In a unique setting in Texas, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center plays a pivotal role in saving the endangered black rhino. Initially brought in from Zimbabwe to prevent their extinction due to rampant poaching, these rhinos have found a safe breeding ground in the U.S. Since 1992, the center has nurtured these magnificent creatures, offering a beacon of hope amidst global conservation struggles.

One of the center’s highlights was the arrival of Kimona, a 2500-pound black rhino bull with a unique genetic makeup. Coming from Australia and unrelated to other rhinos in the U.S., Kimona represents a fresh genetic line to strengthen the species' gene pool. His presence not only enhances biodiversity but also improves the population's resilience to disease, thus bolstering conservation success stories.

Despite the safety at Fossil Rim, black rhinos face severe threats in their native habitats. Poachers target them for their horns, which are sold illegally for various uses. Since 1970, black rhino numbers have plummeted by over 95% due to poaching and habitat destruction. The video underscores an urgent call to action, emphasizing that our proactive steps can determine the fate of these majestic creatures.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center The chapter introduces the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, located on the open grasslands of Texas, which houses various wildlife, including the endangered black and white African rhinos. The black rhinos arrived at Fossil Rim in 1992 as part of a cooperative effort to conserve the species.
• 00:30 - 01:00: Conservation Efforts and Collaboration with Zimbabwe The chapter discusses conservation efforts involving collaboration with the government of Zimbabwe to address poaching concerns in Africa. It highlights the initiative as an insurance policy against extinction, wherein animals are relocated to the United States, specifically to a Conservation Center in Glen Rose, Texas. This center has been actively breeding rhinos, and in 2001, they celebrated the arrival of a new rhino.
• 01:00 - 01:30: Birth of Kusam Mona Kusam Mona, a 2500 lb black rhinoceros, has been introduced. His father was part of a breeding program in Australia, having been sent from Fossil Rim. Kusam Mona, now has returned home, and after a long flight, he prepares to settle into his new quarters.
• 01:30 - 02:00: Kusam Mona's New Home and Significance The chapter titled 'Kusam Mona's New Home and Significance' discusses the release of a rhino named kimona from a 30-day quarantine. Once freed, he is allowed to breed with female rhinos at a breeding center. The chapter highlights the importance of introducing kimona as he brings a new bloodline, being completely unrelated to any other animals in the country, offering genetic diversity to the rhino population.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Importance of Genetic Diversity The chapter titled 'Importance of Genetic Diversity' discusses efforts to diversify the Rhino population. This diversification aims to create a stronger gene pool, which will increase the population's resistance to diseases. The chapter also notes that, apart from these genetic considerations, introducing new members to the Rhino population is vital. Additionally, the chapter highlights the threat posed to Rhinos by humans, who are their only predators. In Africa, Black Rhinos are often killed for their horns, which are used as decorations and in making purported medicinal cures.
• 02:30 - 03:00: Threats to Black Rhinos and Human Role The chapter discusses the severe decline in black rhino populations, which have decreased by over 95% since 1970. This decline is primarily attributed to habitat loss and poaching. The future survival of black rhinos is heavily dependent on human actions, highlighting the urgent need for aggressive conservation efforts to prevent the extinction of this and other endangered species.
• 03:00 - 03:30: Efforts to Preserve the Species The chapter titled 'Efforts to Preserve the Species' highlights collaborative efforts between humans and rhinos to sustain the species' existence. A significant event in 2005 is noted, where 'Kusam', a black rhino, gave birth to a 106 lb male calf, marking a hopeful stride in the conservation endeavors.

Saving the Black Rhino | National Geographic Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 [Music] this could be the warm savanas of Africa instead it's the open grasslands of Texas fced in properties of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center it's home to both the black and white African rhino both endangered species Black Rhinos came to Fossil Rim in 1992 to uh as a Cooperative effort
• 00:30 - 01:00 with the government of Zimbabwe and what we tried to work out at that point was there was there was poaching in Africa they were concerned about losing all of their rhinos and so the animals that came to the United States were basically an insurance policy against Extinction this Conservation Center in Glen Rose Texas has been breeding rhinos ever since in 2001 they celebrated a new arrival
• 01:00 - 01:30 this is kusam Mona a 2500 lb black rhinoceros his father was sent from Fossil Rim to Australia to help a breeding program there and now kusam Mona his son has come home okay after a long flight kimona is ready for his new quarters
• 01:30 - 02:00 and after exploring them a bit he's ravenous some of [Music] this after 30 days in quarantine kimona is free to breed with the female rhinos here at the center the real significance to bringing this this new Bull in is that he's totally unrelated to any other animals in this country he he's a brand new bloodline the Bulls new bloodline will
• 02:00 - 02:30 diversify the Rhino population creating a stronger gene pool and increasing the population's resistance to disease but more importantly kimona will add a few new additions to the population [Music] here humans are the adult Rhino's only predator in the Wild Black Rhinos are killed in Africa for their valuable horns which are sold as decorations medicinal cures and
• 02:30 - 03:00 aphrodisiacs since 1970 their numbers have dropped more than 95% because of habitat loss and poaching the future of this animal is really in the hands of human beings and if we don't move aggressively uh we could lose this endangered species and of course many others at the the Fossil Rim Wildlife
• 03:00 - 03:30 Center both humans and rhinos are doing their best to keep the species alive in 2005 kusam Mona's son was born 106 lb of baby black rhino