Calves of Hope
Utilizing the grain of waste wood
Javan rhinoceros used to inhabit the mainland, but due to poaching, they became extinct and currently only about 60 individuals live in Indonesia's Ujung Kulon National Park. Due to their extremely low numbers, there were concerns about their ability to reproduce successfully in the wild, but in recent years, a calf has been confirmed. The current habitat of the Javan rhinoceros has a high risk of natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and tsunamis, and the environment surrounding them is still challenging, but the birth of new life can be a significant source of hope.
There are things we can do to protect the Javan rhinoceros from extinction. Not buying or selling anything made from rhino horns can lead to the eradication of poaching. Additionally, reducing consumption of paper and wood can contribute to the conservation of forests, which are the habitat of Javan rhinoceros. By spreading knowledge about the fact that Javan rhinoceros are in danger of extinction with family and friends, we can contribute to the dissemination of information. Protection of Javan rhinoceros from extinction requires support from various fields, and it is essential for each of us to practice even the smallest actions towards this goal.
Oil palm plantations
Utilizing the grain of waste wood
The tropical rainforests that are the habitat of the endangered Sumatran rhinoceros have been converted to oil palm plantations for palm oil production, making it difficult for them to survive. Today, only about 80 Sumatran rhinoceroses remain on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Destroying the rainforest and replacing it with oil palm plantations will shrink the habitat of the Sumatran rhinoceros. It will also cause significant damage to the rainforest ecosystem. And rainforest destruction is one of the factors affecting global warming.
Oil palm plantations have eradicated large areas of forest area, leading to the extinction of many rainforest-dwelling species. Besides the Sumatran rhinoceros, the orangutan has lost about 80% of its habitat and population, and the tiger has declined to about 500 individuals. More than 100 other species living in the rainforest are in danger of extinction. To protect rainforests and ecosystems and halt global warming, food, cosmetics, and fuel companies must reduce their use of palm oil. And consumers must either not buy products made with palm oil or buy only palm oil products that have been certified through deforestation-free production processes.
Eradicating War
Utilizing the grain of waste wood
Poaching for their horns was the main cause of the extinction of the northern white rhinoceros in the wild, but another major factor was armed conflict that brought conservation efforts to a halt. War destroys the habitat and lives of wild animals, and also destroys conservation efforts that had been progressing smoothly. The act of war using modern weapons is the worst environmental damage of all, generating huge amounts of CO2 and waste, and polluting soil and water. Humanity must once again recognize the damage that acts of war inflict on the earth and achieve the eradication of war from the perspective of environmental conservation and ecosystem protection.
Correcting Misinformation
Utilizing the grain of waste wood
The Indian rhinoceros is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List. Only about 2,000 animals remain in a fragmented population in limited protected areas in Nepal and India, and elsewhere they are already extinct. In some parts of Asia, there is a superstition that rhino horn is medicinal, which has led to poaching. In reality, however, rhino horn has been proven to be completely ineffective as a medicine, with the same composition as nails and hair. Humanity must correct this misinformation and protect rhinos from extinction.
More important than money
Utilizing the grain of waste wood
The Kruger National Park in Africa, where many of the world's rhinos live, was once home to a large number of rhinos; around 2010, more than 10,000 rhinos lived there, but in recent years the rhino population has declined significantly, with only about 3,000 white rhinos and 250 black rhinos left. Many of the residents around Kruger are poor, and there are many cases of jobless young people being approached by terrorist organizations that use rhino horn as a source of funding to poach rhinos. The poachers then use bribes and border crossings to get around the park's security. Money is the reason rhinos are being targeted for their horns and becoming extinct. Efforts to nullify the market value of rhino horn and the eradication of international poverty must be hastened in order to protect the rhinoceros. A species that has been destroyed cannot be regained. What is more important than money?