The China and the rhinoceros. Know the history.

The Early Days… 1200 BC 

Rhino are Discovered…Rhinoceros (犀牛) was named xi(犀) or si(兕) in ancient China. It is recorded in the Chinese ancient literature such as “E Ya”(《尔雅》)，“Guo Yu”(《国语》),“Shuo Wen”（《说文》），“Kao Gong Ji”(《考工记》)，“Lun Yu”（《论语》）“Shan Hai Jing”（《山海经》） that Rhinoceros (犀牛) were discovered in the province Hainan, Fujian, Yunnan, Guangxi, Hunan, Guangdong, Shanxi, Shandong, Shanxi, Sichuang, Ganshu, Zhejiang, Jiangshu, and so on. 

The Killing Begins…

According to the reliable documents, since 1200 B.C. the Chinese people began to kill rhinoceros. No.2507 of “the second chapter of Yin Dynasty Ruins”(《殷墟文字乙编》) writes an oracle inscription of Hunting by Burning the Forest (焚林而猎), and the king Yin (殷王) orders his soldiers to burn a forest and got 71 rhinoceros. 

The first reason for ancient Chinese people to kill rhinoceros is that the horn can be used to make wine cups. Chinese ancient literature shows that sigong(兕觥) is made of rhinoceros horn, now it is also called cat bowl (猫碗) in some cultural relic appreciate and archaeological saying

In the 8th century before Christ, the Chinese people killed rhinoceros for the skin, which was used to make imperial crown and belt, especially for emperors who glorified their political status. Rhinoceros’ skin was also used to make shield and armor for fighters because of its thickness. Fighters in rhinoceros skin shield were not easily to be penetrated by a sword. The workers who made the imperial crown, belt, shield and armor especially with rhinoceros skin, were called hanren(函人) at that time. According to the chapter of “the Story of Goujian Descend upon Wu” in the book of “the History of Wu and Yue ”(《吴越春秋·勾践伐吴外传》)：“Now，there are about 130 thousands Goujian’s soldiers armed with suits of rhinoceros skin.” Goujian （勾践）was a general who ruled the Southeast China along the coastal provinces then. His officers and soldiers had so many suits of rhinoceros skin，that means there was a large population of rhinoceros in the fourth century before Christ. 

Rhino: The Magical Cure…

From the 6th century after Christ, rhinoceros horns were used for a curative remedy or a godhood stuff of driving out evil spirits. The Chinese people got their absurd belief by their absurd reasoning about their observations as the followings: 

1. Direct Access to Heaven 

2. First Detox Remedy 

3. Exorcism! 

 Comments:

It appears that thousands of years ago, when Asia was not so populated, there were rhinos in great abundance. Although used (exploited) in great numbers the rhinos seem to have held their own, what today would be called “sustainable use.” The premise, “sustainable use” is of course questionable. Once we humans intervene we have this knack of sending natural ecosystems into a tail spin. Not only because of our ignorance, but I would dare say because of our inherent lust for ownership, prestige, control and power. The story of China and the rhino is a clear, sad illustration of humanity at its worst. 

However, there is hope! So many activists, conservationists, anti-poaching rangers, and ordinary people are getting involved to help bring about change… only, we need to hurry because time does not appear to be on our side this tim.Please get involved… donate, share, volunteer, take action… or do all of them if you can.

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Published by Mbilinyi-Wildlife

Conservation has always been a major part of my life. Growing up I revered leaders like famous oceanographer Jacques Cousteau and conservationist Jane Goodall, and I dreamed of becoming a swayful wildlife conservationist one day. Some of my fondest memories are of exploring the Amani forests with my college's friend, learning about both the awesome power of nature  the threats to its well being. I ultimately pursued a career in wildlife management at college of African wildlife management -Mweka and my friends too become a conservationists. Together, we founded Saviours of Wildlife with our slogan that Who pays for wildlife and who benefits?.  I recognize there are many conservation organizations doing incredible work on behalf of our planet and the many species who call it home. I wanted to create an organization that complemented and collaborated with these organizations, so we chose to focus on protecting lesser-known endangered species. My speech If there’s one thing we know about life on Earth, it is that all of our diverse animals, plants, soil structures and waterways are interconnected in complex ways, many of which we cannot fully understand. In order to maintain ecological balance, we need to focus on all of the puzzle pieces–and this is becoming harder to do as we lose more and more species to climate change and human activity. Saviors of wildlife focuses on lesser-known species because they are our early-warning signals for larger issues facing the ecosystem. For example, amphibians have a tremendous impact on their environment. They are not the face of environmental conservation in the same way as elephants,rhinoceros or gorillas, but because of their size and genetic makeup, these creatures are much more sensitive to climate change. For example, saviour of wildlife is working to save  amphibians, reptiles but also supporting efforts of conserving big wildlife like Rhino, giraffe and elephants through conservation education and capacity building to wildlife practititoners.  Saviours of wildlife is also working to save the world’s most endangered marine mammals. Only about 30% are left in the wild due to them becoming entangled in gill nets set for illegal fishing activities.The marine creatures are the most endangered Species. Our planet is facing a biodiversity crisis. Last month , I was fortunate to share comment  with Jane Goodall to discuss this critical issue. She reminded the word that she spoke to me 5 years ago “don’t forget, every single one of you makes a difference every single day.” As we sit on the brink of losing thousands of more species, throwing our future into jeopardy, I am now asking you to make smart decisions .Please join us in reversing this crisis and making our collective future more secure contact Brighton Mbilinyi, saviours of wildlife,college of African wildlife management. brightonfrancis91@gmail.com +255756 525739

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