From: Black Rhino, World Wildlife Fund Website

Name: ______

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow. From: “Black Rhino,” World Wildlife Fund website http://www.worldwildlife.org/species/black-rhino

Overview  Status: Critically Endangered  Population: 4,848  Height: 5.2 feet  Weight: 1,760 -3,080 pounds  Habitats: Tropical and Subtropical Grasslands, Savannas, Deserts and Xeric Shrublands  Places: Namibia, Coastal East Africa Why They Matter Rhinos are one of the oldest groups of mammals, virtually living fossils. They play an important role in their habitats and in countries like Namibia, rhinos are an important source of income from ecotourism. The protection of black rhinos creates large blocks of land for conservation purposes. This benefits many other species, including elephants. Illegal Wildlife Trade Black rhinos have two horns, and occasionally a third small posterior horn. The front horn is longer than the rear which makes them lucrative targets for the illegal trade in rhino horn. Between 1970 and 1992, 96 percent of Africa's remaining black rhinos were killed. A wave of poaching for rhino horn rippled through Kenya and Tanzania, continued south through Zambia's Luangwa Valley as far as the Zambezi River, and spread into Zimbabwe. Political instability and wars have greatly hampered rhino conservation work in Africa, notably in Angola, Rwanda, Somalia and Sudan. This situation has exacerbated threats such as trade in rhino horn, and increased poaching due to poverty. Today, black rhinos remain Critically Endangered because of rising demand for rhino horn, which has driven poaching to record levels. A recent increase in poaching in South Africa threatens to erase our conservation success. The increase is driven by a growing demand from some Asian consumers, particularly in Vietnam, for folk remedies containing rhino horn. A total of 333 rhinos were killed in South Africa in 2010 – almost one a day. What WWF Is Doing Monitoring and Protection To monitor and protect black rhinos WWF focuses on better-integrated intelligence gathering networks on rhino poaching and trade, more antipoaching patrols and better equipped conservation law enforcement officers. Namibia has one of the largest black rhino populations in the world, with a majority found in Etosha National Park. Although their numbers are increasing, the black rhino is still under threat, particularly as Asian demand for rhino horn skyrockets. WWF works with Namibia’s wildlife services in Etosha to protect the country’s endangered black rhino population. This is being done through effective security monitoring, better biological management and wildlife-based tourism, with proceeds going directly back into conservation efforts. Tackling Illegal Wildlife Trade In Namibia, WWF we worked with the government and other partners to develop innovative new transmitters to track rhino movements and protect them against poaching. We also helped set up and promote a free and confidential phone hotline that allows people to inform the authorities about Name: ______poaching safely and anonymously. WWF developed this tool with the Government of Namibia and Mobile Telecommunications Limited. Rhino poaching in Namibia is now at an all time low. 1. All of the following statements support the idea that rhinos are endangered EXCEPT:

A. “A total of 333 rhinos were killed in South Africa in 2010 – almost one a day.” B. “Between 1970 and 1992, 96 percent of Africa's remaining black rhinos were

killed.” C. “Black rhinos have two horns, and occasionally a third small posterior horn.” D. “Today, black rhinos remain Critically Endangered because of rising demand for

rhino horn.” 2. What word best describes the tone of this passage?

A. personal

B. entertaining

C. persuasive

D. informative

3. The author says in the first paragraph that rhinos are virtually living fossils. This means that—

A. Rhinos have been on the earth for a very long time.

B. Rhinos live very long lives.

C. Some rhinos are older than dinosaurs.

D. Scientists find more rhino bones than living rhinos.

4. The word hampered as used in paragraph two most nearly means—

A. changed

B. made more complicated

C. completely stopped

D. made harder