Here at Aquila’s Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), we dedicate ourselves to the welfare of all wildlife, including the majestic rhino. But a recent study published in The Conversation, highlighted by Primedia and KFM, has thrown a stark challenge our way: Southern Africa’s rhinos could face extinction in national parks by 2085 if the worst-case climate change scenario unfolds.
“Rhinos cannot sweat. If they want to cool their large bodies down in the heat, they need to consume a lot of water. They also rely on wallowing in water holes and resting in the shade. As Earth heats up, rhinos will only survive if they have more opportunities to cool down.”
This news hits close to home, as South Africa is home to a vast majority of the global black and white rhino population. The study, led by Professor Timothy Randhir, highlights the vulnerability of these animals due to their inability to sweat and reliance on water and shade for cooling.
Is There a Plan B to Stop the Worst-Case Climate Change Scenario?
Timothy Randhir, an ecological economist with over 47 years of experience, has researched what governments and national parks can do to prevent the worst-case climate change scenario from decimating our rhino and wildlife populations.
Governments and societies should start planning immediately to ward off the worst-case scenario. They have to actively start adding some resilience into the system. In 2085, it is likely that the national parks will still exist. But the parks will need to start now to be sure that they’ve built in many new water sources so that the rhinos can cool off at much more frequent intervals.
The study also emphasises the power of immediate action to create hope for these already vulnerable Big Five animals. This is where ARC steps in, alongside other conservation organisations and passionate individuals, like you.
The parks need to establish undisturbed tree cover, creating much-needed cooling off areas for rhinos and large game. National parks need to add large areas of tree cover within the natural range of their rhinos, so they do not need to walk further and further to find shade to cool down in.
For rhinos to survive this climate change scenario, corridors will also need to be set up for rhinos to move between parks. Human settlements around national parks are becoming a huge stressor for rhinos because of poaching and also because they reduce the freedom of movement for rhinos. This will be very challenging for the parks and they must start planning their landscapes now.
“Southern Africa is home to 22,137 of the world’s 23,432 white and black African rhinos. But they’re facing grave threats because of a warming planet. Now, the first study of how climate change affects rhinos in southern Africa has found that they will cease to exist in the region’s national parks by 2085 if the world takes the worst-case scenario climate change pathway.”
Timothy Randhir, Professor (Full) of Watershed Management, Water Resources, Water Quality, Ecohydrology, Complex Systems, Ecological Economics, and Sustainability.
Why are Rhinos Particularly Vulnerable?
Unlike humans, rhinos lack the ability to sweat, relying heavily on water, mud pools and shade to regulate their body temperature. Rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall directly threaten their ability to survive in the wild. And, if rhinos are unable to regulate their body temperature and keep cool in the severe heat of Africa’s summer months, they won’t be able to survive.
Read more: Rhinos can’t sweat, making them vulnerable to overheating
How You Can Help
- Read the full study: Dive deeper into the latest rhino poaching stats, read the latest research, and learn more about the effects of climate change on South Africa’s rhinos to better understand the urgency of the situation. Click here to read more.
- Support Saving Private Rhino: This initiative, founded by the wildlife conservation team behind Aquila Private Game Reserve, focuses specifically on rhino conservation, rhino rehabilitation, and anti-poaching methods in the Western Cape and Southern Africa.
- Donate to ARC: Your contribution will directly support our efforts to provide anti-poaching training, rapid rhino response, specialised veterinary care, and widespread anti-poaching campaigns which help educate and advocate for the protection of our rhinos.
- Reduce your carbon footprint: Every action counts, from using less energy to choosing sustainable products. Together, we can mitigate climate change and create a brighter future, not only for rhinos, but for our country’s incredible wildlife and diverse ecosystems.
Remember, the future of rhinos is in our hands. Let’s stand together, take action, and ensure these iconic creatures continue to roam the savannas for generations to come. Together, we can help save the rhinos!
