Rhinos Face Extinction Threat as Climate Change Intensifies

In a significant discovery, the surviving rhino populations in southern Africa are perilously threatened by escalating temperatures linked to climate change, posing a significant risk to these endangered species concentrated in national parks. The findings, unveiled in the journal Biodiversity, represent the inaugural analysis of climate change’s potential impact on rhinos.

Rhinos, both black and white, confront heightened vulnerability in the face of intense heat, lacking the ability to sweat and relying on adaptive measures like seeking shade or bathing in water for cooling. Lead author Hlelowenkhosi S. Mamba, a research student at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, stresses the imperative need for comprehensive assessments to anticipate and address climate change’s effects on vulnerable species.

The study concentrated on expansive national parks spanning South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Botswana, Tanzania, and Eswatini, employing two climate scenarios. Projections indicate an anticipated temperature rise of 2.2 degrees Celsius by 2055 and 2.5 degrees by 2085 in a moderate emissions future. In a high-emissions scenario, the increase could soar to 2.8 degrees by 2055 and a staggering 4.6 degrees by 2085, with most parks experiencing reduced precipitation.

Significantly, the research predicts that temperature conditions in these parks will become increasingly unsuitable for rhinos, affecting white rhinos earlier than their black counterparts. The probability of both species surviving dwindles to zero by 2085 in high-emissions scenarios.

White rhinos, once categorized as northern and southern species, now face a “near threatened” status, with approximately 10,000 individuals remaining. Black rhinos are classified as “critically endangered,” with only about 3,100 left, primarily due to rampant poaching.

Co-author Timothy Randhir, a professor of environmental conservation at UMass Amherst, emphasizes the critical role of using climate predictions for park and rhino management. Suggestions include bolstering water supplies, enhancing tree cover, monitoring stress indicators, and planning for rhino migration as the world warms.

While the findings paint a bleak picture for rhinos, the research aims to guide conservation efforts in preparing for the challenges posed by climate change, emphasizing proactive measures for the survival of these iconic species.

Source: Black Planet