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In Touch With Nature – The near threatened southern white rhinoceros and the poaching crisis #whiterhino #InTouchWithNature

Posted: July 23, 2025 | Author: | Filed under: Uncategorized |76 Comments
Picture caption: Banner for In Touch With Nature

The white rhinoceros or square-lipped rhino is the largest of the five living rhino species. It is also one of the largest land animals with only elephants being bigger. A male white rhino weighs up to 2,300 kilograms and a cow between 1,600 and 1,700 kilograms. The white rhinos most well-known feature is the two horn-like structures on its snout. The horns line up, one behind the other, and are comprised of densely compacted keratin fibers and not bone.

Unfortunately, it is the rhino’s beautiful horn that has led to these creatures being poached to near extinction. Rhino horns are in high demand in certain Asian countries, in particular China and Vietnam, due to a false belief in the medicinal value of the horns. Despite confirmation by the scientific world that these beliefs are not true, the demand continues. In some cultures, rhino horn is viewed as a status symbol and represents wealth and success. The demand for rhino horn as gifts fuels the poaching crisis. In addition, rhinos are still hunted for sport with hunters displaying their horns as trophies.

Picture caption: White rhino with a formidable horn

The white rhino population is estimated to be around 17,464 individuals with the majority being found in South Africa. Currently a near threatened species, the white rhino populations are declining with approximately 420 being poached every year. The latest white rhino poaching statistics for the three months ended 31 March 2025, are 103 averaging 34.33 white rhinos per month.

The fight against rhino poaching is on-going and multifaceted. Game reserves are protected by anti-poaching patrols which include drones and aircraft. I often see the anti-poaching units when I am in the bush, and I have even seen them practicing maneuvers. I am very supportive of these brave men who risk their own lives to save our rhinos from poachers. South Africa has introduced stricter wildlife protection laws and international organisations like the Internation Fund for Animal Welfare work ceaselessly to combat the online trade of illegal wildlife products.

One of the steps taken to reduce poach is dehorning. A landmark international study published on Thursday, 5 June 2025 has revealed that dehorning significantly reduces the risk of poaching. The study, led by the University of Cape Town found that “Dehorning rhinos to reduce incentives for poaching … was found to achieve a 78% reduction in poaching using just 1.2% of the overall rhino protection budget.” You can read more about this study here: https://www.news.uct.ac.za/article/-2025-06-05-uct-led-study-finds-dehorning-rhinos-reduces-poaching. I always feel sad when I see a dehorned rhino in the bush, but better dehorned rhinos than none at all.

Picture caption: A pair of dehorned white rhino walking down the road. Their dark colour is due to the dirt they roll in.

The impact of the extinction of any animal species extends far beyond the specific animals and species itself. Rhinos, for example, play a critical role in maintaining balanced ecosystems in their natural environment. Rhinos are herbivores and their grazing patterns shape landscapes, support plant biodiversity and influence food chains. The extinction of the white rhino would have a significant impact on the decline of other species dependent on the environmental balance rhinos help to maintain.

Picture caption: The smallest baby white rhino I’ve seen – just three weeks old

A cute poem from Lion Scream by Robbie Cheadle

Listen to me, Mom

“Mom, what’s that box on wheels?
Why is it stopping?
 Listen to me, Mom, I’m asking you something.
Stop ignoring me, Mom
I’ve got a question”

“If you don’t answer me
I’ll back into you
Can you feel it, Mom, I’m bumping into you?
I’m not going to stop
Until you answer”

“Fine, be mean if you like
I know what to do
I’ll just lie down and have a short siesta
Let me know when it’s gone
And we can move on”

A few of my white rhino wildlife YouTube videos

About Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Picture caption: Robbie Cheadle author photograph 2025

Roberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.

Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).

Roberta is also the author and illustrator of seventeen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children’s books, and the author and illustrator of four poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

Roberta’s blog features discussions about classic books, book reviews, poetry, and photography. https://roberta-writes.com/.

Find Roberta Eaton Cheadle

Blog: https://wordpress.com/view/robertawrites235681907.wordpress.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/robbiecheadle.bsky.social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robertawrites

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Roberta-Eaton-Cheadle/e/B08RSNJQZ5

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Like this post? Are you a fan of this blog series? Did you know you can sponsor your favorite blog series or even a single post with an advertisement for your book? Stop by the WtbR Sponsor Page and let me advertise your book, or you can make a donation to Writing to be Read for as little as a cup of coffee, If you’d like to show your support for this author and WordCrafter Press.

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This segment of “In Touch with Nature” is sponsored by the Midnight Anthology Series and WordCrafter Press.

Midnight Roost: Weird and Creepy Stories: 20 authors bring your nightmares to life in 23 stories of ghosts, paranormal phenomenon and the horror from the dark crevasses of their minds. Stories of stalkers, both human and supernatural, possession and occult rituals, alien visitations of the strange kind, and ghostly tales that will give you goosebumps. These are the tales that will make you fear the dark. Read them at the Midnight Roost… if you dare. https://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Roost-Kaye-Lynne-Booth-ebook/dp/B0CL6FPLVJ

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76 Comments on “In Touch With Nature – The near threatened southern white rhinoceros and the poaching crisis #whiterhino #InTouchWithNature”

  1. Roberta Writes – In Touch with Nature – rhinos and the poaching crisis says:
    July 23, 2025 at 1:52 am

    […] In Touch With Nature – The near threatened southern white rhinoceros and the poaching crisis #… […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  2. Esther Chilton's avatar Esther Chilton says:
    July 23, 2025 at 2:10 am

    Rhinos are beautiful animals. It’s so tragic that they’re under threat. Thank you you for this wonderful post, fabulous pics and poem💗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  3. Ephemeral Encounters's avatar Ephemeral Encounters says:
    July 23, 2025 at 2:53 am

    Thank you for sharing this post Robbie.
    It is tragic that these animals are now at near extinction.😪 like so many others.
    Dehorning may only be a temporary fix, but I hope not.
    Loved your poem and the photographs too.🤗

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  4. Unknown's avatar In Touch With Nature – The near threatened southern white rhinoceros and the poaching crisis #whiterhino #InTouchWithNature – Patty's Worlds says:
    July 23, 2025 at 2:56 am

    […] https://writingtoberead.com/2025/07/23/in-touch-with-nature-the-near-threatened-southern-white-rhino… […]

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  5. merrildsmith's avatar merrildsmith says:
    July 23, 2025 at 3:30 am

    I heard about the dehorning study while listening to NPR. Probably it was just after the study was released. It’s very sad that it has come to that to protect the rhinos. The baby rhinos are very cute. 😊

    Many people don’t realize how an ecosystem works. Sigh.

    Like

    Reply
  6. Daniel Kemp's avatar Daniel Kemp says:
    July 23, 2025 at 4:22 am

    What beautiful animals the Rhinos are. Lovely photographs and a wonderful post.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  7. willowdot21's avatar willowdot21 says:
    July 23, 2025 at 4:43 am

    Thank you for this beautiful and informative post Robbie… Having now seen these beautiful creatures while on a safari I can understand more of what you are saying.

    How sad that ignorance and false beliefs are driving these magnificent creatures bro extinction. 💜💜

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  8. beth's avatar beth says:
    July 23, 2025 at 5:34 am

    thank you for sharing this information with us –

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  9. coldhandboyack's avatar coldhandboyack says:
    July 23, 2025 at 5:59 am

    I’m glad to know people are doing something. We can only hope the demand is also being addressed through education.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  10. Dave Astor's avatar Dave Astor says:
    July 23, 2025 at 6:17 am

    Excellent post, Robbie. Much of humankind’s cruelty to animals is heartbreaking. (One reason why I’m vegan.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • robertawrites235681907's avatar robertawrites235681907 says:
      July 24, 2025 at 4:55 am

      Hi Dave, I agree. Humans are cruel to each other though so its not really surprising. I didn’t know you are a vegan. I was vegetarian for years but now I eat a little meat as my health wasn’t as good as it needed to be as a mother.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  11. pvcann's avatar pvcann says:
    July 23, 2025 at 7:38 am

    Robbie thank you for this, a feast of learning, Thank you for the link to the study and for the delightful videos. I love the gently humorous poem, and I appreciate your desire to share and dare I say – teach.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  12. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray says:
    July 23, 2025 at 8:03 am

    That dehorned rhino. Oh that hurt…

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  13. Cindy Georgakas's avatar Cindy Georgakas says:
    July 23, 2025 at 8:23 am

    Such an important post to share. They are so beautiful and need help by raising awareness for protection. Sweet poem and wonderful photos, Robbie!!🩷

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  14. T. W. Dittmer's avatar T. W. Dittmer says:
    July 23, 2025 at 10:28 am

    This post is wonderful! What is said is knowledgeable, the pictures and videos are marvelous.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  15. tidalscribe.com's avatar tidalscribe.com says:
    July 23, 2025 at 1:08 pm

    Is it known if their horns are actually important, for clearing their way through undergrowth or do the males fight?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • robertawrites235681907's avatar robertawrites235681907 says:
      July 24, 2025 at 4:52 am

      Hi Janet, yes, the horns are important for their survival in the wild. Rhinos use their horns for defense and foraging as well as for determining social dominance among males. Dehorning is a far from perfect solution but better than extinction.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  16. restlessjo's avatar restlessjo says:
    July 23, 2025 at 2:40 pm

    I presume the horns have a purpose, Robbie? It seems so sad to have to do that to preserve their lives xx

    Liked by 3 people

    Reply
  17. Liz Gauffreau's avatar Liz Gauffreau says:
    July 23, 2025 at 6:19 pm

    Are poachers arrested and charged crimnally, or the the emphasis on prevention rather than punishment?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  18. Jennie's avatar Jennie says:
    July 23, 2025 at 7:22 pm

    I have mixed emotions about dehorning. I understand that it limits poaching, but it seems awful for the rhino.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  19. petespringer's avatar petespringer says:
    July 23, 2025 at 7:44 pm

    It’s disheartening that one of the solutions to protecting rhinos is to dehorn them. I understand it is designed to protect them ultimately, but since the animal uses their horns for defense, foraging, and other necessities, it seems cruel. Why not stiffer fines against poachers?

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
    • robertawrites235681907's avatar robertawrites235681907 says:
      July 24, 2025 at 4:18 am

      South Africa is a very mixed up country and there is a significant amount of corruption here. Some politically connected people are involved with the poaching and illegal horn trade. As a result there is a failure of the judicial system to protect wildlife and the criminals often get off. In such a society, dehorning is really the only way.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  20. Chris Hall's avatar Chris Hall says:
    July 24, 2025 at 4:37 am

    Beautiful creatures those rhinos! They are doing a little better now, but there is much to do, we know.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
    • robertawrites235681907's avatar robertawrites235681907 says:
      July 24, 2025 at 4:49 am

      I think the failure of the judicial system to successfully prosecute poachers (due to corruption) plays a role. This appears to have improved over the past few years and there have been more convictions of individuals and gangs. Also, the game parks are just to big to patrol with effectiveness even with drones and airplanes. Removing the demand and thus financial gain is really the only way.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  21. Annette Rochelle Aben's avatar Annette Rochelle Aben says:
    July 26, 2025 at 2:49 pm

    Life, the most precious gift on earth

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  22. JoAnna's avatar JoAnna says:
    July 26, 2025 at 6:57 pm

    I will never accept the barbaric practice of “hunting for sport.” Thank you for caring about these awesome animals. Thank you, also for including Robbie’s sweet poem and interesting videos!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  23. Resa's avatar Resa says:
    July 28, 2025 at 7:17 pm

    Human ignorance will wipe us all, humans and animals, out.

    Sad, but I agree, no horns are better than no rhinos.

    Your poem is a beauty, and the videos are precious. Thank you, Robbie!

    Thank you for hosting this valuable series, Kaye Lynne!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  24. Dawn Pisturino's avatar Dawn Pisturino says:
    August 19, 2025 at 2:00 pm

    It’s a shame that rhinos have to lose their horns because of poachers. What do the authorities do with the horns once they’re de-horned? And how do they protect themselves without their horns?

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

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