Silver Jungle, UK
Ever wanted to learn a bit about rhinos? Did you know that people have been studying rhinos for centuries? And did you know that there are pictures of them dating back hundreds of years?
Joanna Skipwith has written a book about rhinos, with lots of these pictures, to raise awareness of the plight of all five species. Money raised by book sales will also go straight to help the Sumatran rhino. There are only 300 of these amazing creatures left in the world.
The book is called Rhino: Animals in Art (published by Silver Jungle)is available through Save the Rhino’s online shop, or by calling our London office. For more information on the book, click here.
Below, the author shares her particular interest in the Sumatran rhino.
I love rhinoceroses. Why, I have no idea. It is not something I wish to explore in great Freudian depth. But love them I do, despite, or perhaps because of, the fact that I have very little contact with them. I love the White rhino because of the noise it makes when it pads round its indoor enclosure at Whipsnade, like an old gentleman in slippers. And I love its particular shade of no-nonsense concrete grey, very Sixties South Bank. I love the Indian rhino because of the surprising contrast between its outside and inside. It has pale pink gums, and if you are allowed to slip your fingers underneath a fold of its skin (as I was), it is soft and warm and there is evidence of something alive in there, breathing in and out. I am full of admiration for it and slightly bewildered that whereas many creatures have adapted over the centuries to make life more convenient for themselves, the Indian rhino resolutely sticks to the same outfit that its ancestors wore.
And finally the Sumatran rhino, which I have never seen in the flesh. I like the sound of it very much – smallest, hairiest, furry ears, likes swimming, likes mangoes and wild figs, can’t be bothered much with mating. My affection for this odd-toed ungulate does mystify some, and I have heard plenty of arguments against supporting it: numbers too low, country too unstable, global warming too advanced, the African species more popular. Why bother? And I do wonder when I hear that males and females have to be separated otherwise they attack each other. A fleeting ceasefire is only possible on those elusive ovulation days. Do they realise they are on the brink of extinction? I guess not, but as we do, I think we ought to do something about it.
I hope you are tempted to buy a copy of the book. Perhaps you could also spread the word to others. Over £7,000 has already been sent out to Sumatra, thanks to Silver Jungle's generous supporters. More will follow.
Joanna Skipwith
Author of Rhino: Animals in Art