Global and Local Issues : Grade 6 Rhino assembly

The grade 6's gave a wonderful presentation all about RHINOS in our assembly. Well done to all involved.

When in the wild

My dearest child

You see a Rhinocer-oss

Are you at a loss?

Or do you have the knack

Of telling white from black?

The black rhino with pointed lips

Browses on green leafy tips

Of bushes and trees,

Then if you please

You will see as you pass

White rhinos mowing the grass

Did you know that 1004 rhinos were killed in South Africa last year? (1004? That’s awful!)

Did you know that 5 rhinos were killed in KZN 3 weeks ago? (Oh no! Not again!)

Why is this happening? Why are people killing rhinos?

For their horns. Many people believe that their horns contain powerful medicinal properties. This is not true. The horn is made of a similar substance to your fingernails. Do you think you nails have magical powers? Of course not.

What do we have to do

To allow animals to survive?

Poachers are killing everything

The law can’t keep alive

Rhinos are facing extinction

They cannot roam free

Countries are still using ivory

Why can’t they let them be?

It’s illegal to use ivory these days

But for some this isn’t the case

Ornaments and other valuables

The rich always chase.

Authorities cannot secure the

land where rhinos roam

not enough manpower to watch out

at their native home.

Rhinos are taken from zoos

To return to their home land

To try and let them breed

Enclosed by man’s hand

We need to get a grip

Bombard governments with our concern

Or nothing will be left

And we will never learn.

Rhinos are an umbrella species which means they protect and support many smaller creatures.

Horns are sold for huge amounts of money on the black market.

In KZN we can visit rhinos in game reserves such as Hluhluwe, Umfolozi and Mkuze.

No more extinction. We have already wiped out thousands of species like the dodo and the quagga.

Oldest living mammal. Rhinos have been on Earth for 50 million years.

Stop the killing of rhinos. We want our kids to see these wonderful creatures.

What can we do? At Eden, we are starting an organization called ACTING FOR RHINOS. We are going to use the money to help authorities stop rhino poaching. We might be kids but we can make a difference.