Far from a slow-moving beast that appears to be a survivor from the past, the fast and nimble rhino is hardly the brute that its appearance suggests to many.
These incredible animals, capable of running at 30 mph, gentle plant eaters, no threat to their neighboring wildlife-if not threatened themselves-a relic from days gone by, with a gentle bleating voice that so contrasts with their physical presence, would seem to be a fascinating subject of endurance into modern times. Except for one thing, the object for which they are named and the reason they are being threatened with extinction-their horn.
We'll delve into what makes that horn so special and different in the animal kingdom, plus discuss issues surrounding the rhino and its horn. For example, why their horn is so desired, the scourge of poaching and what people are doing to counteract that poaching-including a full section on the dehorning of rhinoceros in an attempt to discourage poachers with killer intent.
This book will also help familiarize you with their lifestyle and individual specifics, while helping you to recognize the fi ve species of rhino that still live in the wild. You will learn about their history and current status-and the dangers that have threatened them from the past to the present.
Dr. Robert Griffith MN'16, a member of The Explorers Club, writes in a concise, travel-journal manner about his experiences, while bringing the rhinoceros to life with beautiful photographs from his expeditions. Join him and enjoy the book.
Griffith, Robert R.: - Dr. Robert R. Griffith MN'16 is a retired Diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. He served in the United States Army Reserve with a rank of Lt. Col. and is a life member of the American Legion. Dr. Griffith also has been active in his community for decades, serving in multiple elected and appointed positions ranging from School Board Director and Abington Police Athletic League Board of Directors to Chairman of the Montgomery County (Pa.) Board of Health.He started enjoying nature at an early age, spending his summers at a cabin in the woods. He never forgot the wonderful lessons learned and passed on his love of nature and the outdoors to his family and all others with an interest.Dr. Griffith, a strong advocate for wildlife issues and conservation, has a particular focus on the critically endangered rhinoceros. He has participated in the dehorning of rhinos while studying the white rhino in South Africa. He traveled to India and Nepal for in-depth interviews and field work in assessing the status and conservation of Indian one-horned rhino. He returned to Africa in 2022 to report on the effects of COVID-19 with a particular focus on the black rhino.He enjoys collaborating with and helping the dedicated people who work tirelessly to save these magnificent animals through various rhino conservation efforts. He has given presentations to groups in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Hawaii, Washington D.C., and California in support of this cause.Dr. Griffith is a fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) and a member of The Explorers Club. He applied for and was awarded the honor of carrying The Explorers Club Flag in the summer of 2018 through northern South Africa, Zululand, and Swaziland (now Eswatini) to participate in actual dehorning procedures and to interview conservationists in the field. Reports from this expedition were then published in The Explorers Journal and The Explorers Log in 2018. Additional field expeditions continue to gather information and knowledge regarding the focus of this book and the struggles of wildlife conservation in challenging times.
