Southern Africa’s temperatures to rise beyond rhinos’ tolerance
The rising heat is impacting black (Diceros bicornis) and white (Ceratotherium simum) rhinos in southern Africa, a research team from the University of Massachusetts Amherst has found.
The study, published in the journal Biodiversity, also underlined that southern Africa will be affected by both higher temperatures and changing precipitation.
This temperature increase in Africa is particularly problematic for rhinos, as they do not sweat and instead cool themselves off by bathing and finding shade.
Southern Africa is home to the vast majority of the world’s black and white rhinoceros populations, holding 80 per cent and 92 per cent respectively.
The researchers discovered that temperature changes are greater than what rhinoceros species can withstand and that changes in precipitation will hurt rhinos.
To ensure the rhinoceroses’ survival, park managers should begin planning adaptations to manage rising temperatures.
