Source: Nature: "Rhinoceros"
Funding for the VITAL/Ready to Teach collection was secured through the United States Department of Education under the Ready to Teach Program.
Rhinoceros Capture
(Video)
National K -12 Subject:
Lesson Plans Using this Resource:
Due to unregulated hunting and poaching, the black rhinoceros has become an endangered species across the African continent. In an effort to preserve the remaining rhinos and repopulate the species, wildlife preserves have been created. The black rhinoceros now thrives in the South African National Park system. In order to spread the success of the South African preserve to other regions, rhinos from this sanctuary are being relocated to other preserves across the continent. In this video from Nature, learn about the factors taken into consideration to release the Black Rhino back into the wild. For more about the Black Rhino, see “Rhinoceros Capture.”
Download and ShareThe following Frame, Focus and Follow-up suggestions are best suited for middle school students using this video in an English language arts, social studies or science lesson. Be sure to modify the questions to meet your students' instructional needs.
What is Frame, Focus and Follow-up?
Frame (ELA) Think of a time you moved to a new, unfamiliar area; for example, a new neighborhood, school or grade. How did you feel? What was your first reaction to your new surroundings?
Focus (ELA) While watching the video, consider the rhino’s point of view while he is being chased and then captured. Interpret his actions. How do his reactions portray his feelings?
Follow Up (ELA) How would you feel if you were forced to suddenly move from your home or school and placed in a strange land? How would you react? Write two or three paragraphs documenting a similar experience you have had. Include a description of how you felt during this experience.
Frame (SS) On a map, find the countries that make up Southern Africa. What do you know about the natural regions of Southern Africa? What is the climate like? What types of animals can be found there?
Focus (SS) Why do the scientists want to keep track of the rhinos after they are released into their new preserve? What do they hope to accomplish?
Follow Up (SS) How will the relocation of the rhinos change the environment of the South African region?
Frame (SCI) What do you know about the rhinoceros?
Focus (SCI) How will the microchip placed in the rhino’s horn help him once he’s in his new preserve?
Follow Up (SCI) Write a relocation plan for the Black Rhino or another endangered species. Research the region in which they live, the type of food they eat, any predators they may have, and other factors important to the animal's survival. Then devise a plan indicating where they will live and how you will move them.
NARRATOR: Back at the game capture center, four weeks have passed. Twenty-one black rhinos have been served fresh cut acacia everyday. It takes a team of forty men to collect the food. But this is the rhinos last catered meal. They’re about to be returned to the wild.
DR. LINKLATER: If we drop this guy here, we can take this guy and the female.
NARRATOR: Setting them free takes careful planning. Barring poaching, fifty percent of black rhino deaths occur from fighting. Their rescuers don’t want to create conditions for conflict. The big release is planned with military precision. All twenty-one black rhinos are going to the Zulu land reserve today. How will the rhinos react to being released into unfamiliar territory? Fortunately, the transmitter in the horn is undamaged. This is crucial. The transmitted signal may be the only way of finding the rhinos again. This first week is the most nerve racking. If the rhinos are moving around a lot, it’s a sure sign of distress and they’ll have to be re-captured. Dr. Linklater and his team take readings everyday so they can chart the movements of each rhino across the fifty thousand acre reserve.
DR. LINKLATER: She’s over here and so she’s hardly moved again today.
NARRATOR: Great news. Hopefully these rhinos will establish a thriving population.
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