My letter to NBC's "Today Show" regarding the Javan Rhino footage
Hello Today Show -
My name is Rhishja Larson and I am working to save rhinos from extinction with my organization, Saving Rhinos LLC (http://www.savingrhinos.org). I am contacting you regarding the brief Javan Rhino footage that aired this morning. I have been watching The Today Show for nearly 20 years and this is the first time I have ever considered writing in to the show. I am asking that The Today Show make a difference by digging deeper into the extinction crisis facing rhinos and help educate the public about how rhinos can indeed be saved from extinction. This is indeed a global emergency: The world's rhino population has decreased by 90% since 1970.
The Javan Rhino is critically endangered and is considered the rarest mammal on earth. Sadly, this is mostly due to ruthless poaching, and it is estimated that fewer than 60 individual Javan Rhinos are surviving today. Approximately 4 of these are a distinct subspecies, the Vietnamese Javan Rhino and the others are of the Indonesian subspecies. The Indian subspecies is now extinct.
Unfortunately, poaching to extinction remains a threat to all rhinos. As recently as 2006, the subspecies West African Black Rhino was declared extinct. And currently, only four individuals of the Northern White Rhino subspecies are left.
Why are rhinos murdered? Trade in rhino products continues to flourish in China and Taiwan; unfortunately, these countries, despite being CITES signatories, refuse to follow international law.
I am asking that The Today Show consider bringing attention to this extremely serious global wildlife crisis. The Today Show is one of the most influential news shows in the country and the allotment of a small amount of air time would make a difference by inspiring viewers to contribute to rhino conservation.
Conservation has a history of success in saving rhinos - indeed, Indian and Southern White Rhinos were once at the brink of extinction, but are now breeding in captivity and in rhino sanctuaries. Black Rhinos are very slowly recovering from a massacre resulting in a 96% decline in population. Recently, 3 Sumatran Rhinos (worldwide population: 275 rhinos) have been born in captivity. We need to educate the public about the extinction crisis facing rhinos, and bring attention to the plight of the Javan Rhino before it is too late.
I sincerely request that The Today Show seriously consider placing this global wildlife crisis in the spotlight, even briefly. It would take comparatively little of your time and resources to make the kind of difference that could save a species.
Thank you for your time and consideration. My contact information is below should you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Rhishja Larson
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Rhishja Larson
Saving Rhinos LLC
135 Keller Street, Suite C
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.765.9999
http://www.savingrhinos.org
--
My name is Rhishja Larson and I am working to save rhinos from extinction with my organization, Saving Rhinos LLC (http://www.savingrhinos.org). I am contacting you regarding the brief Javan Rhino footage that aired this morning. I have been watching The Today Show for nearly 20 years and this is the first time I have ever considered writing in to the show. I am asking that The Today Show make a difference by digging deeper into the extinction crisis facing rhinos and help educate the public about how rhinos can indeed be saved from extinction. This is indeed a global emergency: The world's rhino population has decreased by 90% since 1970.
The Javan Rhino is critically endangered and is considered the rarest mammal on earth. Sadly, this is mostly due to ruthless poaching, and it is estimated that fewer than 60 individual Javan Rhinos are surviving today. Approximately 4 of these are a distinct subspecies, the Vietnamese Javan Rhino and the others are of the Indonesian subspecies. The Indian subspecies is now extinct.
Unfortunately, poaching to extinction remains a threat to all rhinos. As recently as 2006, the subspecies West African Black Rhino was declared extinct. And currently, only four individuals of the Northern White Rhino subspecies are left.
Why are rhinos murdered? Trade in rhino products continues to flourish in China and Taiwan; unfortunately, these countries, despite being CITES signatories, refuse to follow international law.
I am asking that The Today Show consider bringing attention to this extremely serious global wildlife crisis. The Today Show is one of the most influential news shows in the country and the allotment of a small amount of air time would make a difference by inspiring viewers to contribute to rhino conservation.
Conservation has a history of success in saving rhinos - indeed, Indian and Southern White Rhinos were once at the brink of extinction, but are now breeding in captivity and in rhino sanctuaries. Black Rhinos are very slowly recovering from a massacre resulting in a 96% decline in population. Recently, 3 Sumatran Rhinos (worldwide population: 275 rhinos) have been born in captivity. We need to educate the public about the extinction crisis facing rhinos, and bring attention to the plight of the Javan Rhino before it is too late.
I sincerely request that The Today Show seriously consider placing this global wildlife crisis in the spotlight, even briefly. It would take comparatively little of your time and resources to make the kind of difference that could save a species.
Thank you for your time and consideration. My contact information is below should you have any further questions.
Kind regards,
Rhishja Larson
--
Rhishja Larson
Saving Rhinos LLC
135 Keller Street, Suite C
Petaluma, CA 94952
707.765.9999
http://www.savingrhinos.org
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