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Photo by Bret Love, Green Global Travel
Finite: Adjective
1. Having bounds or limits; not infinite; measurable.
As a Westerner, living in a finite world is a concept we’re adjusting to on so many levels. In the United States, believing in ‘Manifest Destiny,’ that we have been divinely decreed to grow from sea to sea and keep growing, is ingrained in us beginning with elementary school history lessons.
Earlier, as toddlers, we start grappling with the fact that ME is not the center of the universe. We learn that Me stops and with time, even self-interested compassion dawns with awareness of the world and our place in it. The time has come for us as a species to grow up too. In this instance I’m talking about the world outside our continent and one species in particular that needs our help – Rhinos.
Finite:
2. Mathematics. Not infinite. Not zero.
I live in San Diego where we recently said goodbye to a quiet creature. One fifth of his species perished when he died. One of only 5 White Rhinos remaining on the planet, Angalifu’s 44 years ended naturally. He died peacefully. Guarded, nourished, and cared for, he’d spent his final years in captivity.
Photo courtesy Susan Portnoy_The Insatiable Traveler
His end would’ve come much sooner in his natural habitat. Decades of civil war, poaching, violence and greed, would have likely terminated his life brutally. Today a Rhino is killed every 7 hours in South Africa. It’s estimated they will all be gone in less than 20 years if we don’t do something about it.
Disgraced, Anagalifu’s carcass would have joined thousands of others, left without their horns, rotting and alone save for carrion birds and scavengers. Why? Their horns are coveted in Asia based on mistaken beliefs and unsubstantiated herbal benefits.
Photo courtesy Susan Portnoy_The Insatiable Traveler
Finite:
3. Noun: something that is finite.
There’s hope for Rhinos still struggling to survive in the wild but only if we put our compassion to work. It’s not just a celebrity issue. It’s not them, us or we, it’s you who can make a difference.
Very real work: Travelers Building Change is working with Just One Rhino, together they are focused on translocating 100 from South Africa to Botswana and protect them from the relentless and tragic rise in poaching. They need only raise about $45,000 to make it happen and 100% of the money raised is being used for just that. You can read more here.
You must make a donation soon. The campaign ends on March 1st. Your support comes with much more than a pat on the back. You can win dozens of cool prizes.
Just One Rhino Donor Prizes:
– International Expeditions- http://www.ietravel.com/
10-day Galapagos Voyage for one. Value $5,298
Full Trip Details found here.
– Adventure Life- www.adventure-life.com
South Africa Big Five Safari: Kruger & KwaZulu-Natal + Swag Bag for 2 people. Value $5000
Full Trip Details found here.
– Cobblers Cove Hotel, Barbados- http://www.cobblerscove.com/
Seven nights bed and breakfast in a Garden View suite. Value $5,187
– Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa, Nicaragua- www.littlecornhotel.com
10 nights’ stay & wellness package for two people at Yemaya Island Hideaway and Spa on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. Value $5,241
– Secret Retreats- www.secret-retreats.com
- Vouchers for 2 people at Bali Jiwa Villain in Bali, Indonesia. Value $1,000
- (2) Vouchers for 2 people at The Scent Hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand. Total Value $3000 ($1,500 for each 2-person package)
- Vouchers for 2 people at 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Koh Kong, Cambodia. Value $900
- Vouchers for 2 people at Flower Island, Palawan, Philippines Value $900
Other prizes include:
- eBag Luggage
- WeWOOD Watches
- Dinner/Brunch Cruises
- 2 nights in an Italian Villa
- 2 Tours in India
- ExOfficio Gift Certificate
- 2 nights Renaissance Asheville
- Travel Blog Success Lifetime Membership
- African Elephant Photo Pack
- HDR Timelapse Video Camera w/Lens
- Blogger Mentorship Package from Green Global Travel
Prizes will be announced on World Wildlife Day, March 3rd.
Finite:
5. Subject to limitations or conditions, as of space, time, circumstances, or the laws of nature.
We don’t have to take extinction as the final inevitability. Take action now. Together we can save 100 Rhinos and help them live long, healthy lives on their own continent. With your help, we can raise $45,000 and save #JustOneRhino. Tell your friends!
Like you Elaine, I was proud to be a part of the #JustOneRhino campaign. It is such a tragic situation. I hope we travel bloggers can make a difference!
Thanks, Alison. I’m honored by the company of my fellow bloggers on this important campaign. So hope the effort is a success.
Thank you for bringing this important message to the forefront. Well done.
Thanks, Marilyn. I’m just one of the messengers doing our part to make a difference.
Those are some scary and shocking facts and figures! What an amazing effort and project! It is great way to raise awareness!
Thank you, Constance. Your encouragement means a lot.
Wow, I can’t believe there are only FIVE white rhinos left in the entire world!! It’s crazy that with the resources and knowledge available today animals are still going extinct because of us humans.
I share your shock about the White Rhinos. Scientists are experimenting with their DNA to try and create more but its a long shot and shouldn’t be necessary.
The current plight of the rhino is tragic. I’m hopeful the information you are dispensing is helping. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Carole. We’re all helping by sharing how important it is to take action.
I am hearing more and more about these lifesaving initiatives for rhinos. It’s so tragic to see all the numbers out there like that. Thanks for your take on this, and doing what you’re doing to promote such an important cause!!
Thanks, Alli, Share #JustOneRhino and we’ll be working together to save them.
This is a great cause. It’s really tragic what’s happening to these animals. We an only hope that the human race will wise up before this great planet gets distroyed.
I agree that our species needs to wise up but also note that there’s promising news. Watch the new PBS series, Earth – The New Wild about human and wild animal/nature relationships. Still much to be done and for the Rhinos time is running out.
Great post and cause. That statistic about one being killed every 7 hours in South Africa is absolutely shocking.
It’s truly a senseless and brutal fact about the Rhinos being massacred. I hope you can share #JustOneRhino
I love that so many people are taking part in this amazing initiative! Every post I read is amazing, and reflects how important it is that change needs to be made now. Thanks for your take on this, and promoting such an important cause
Thanks so much, Hannah. Writing and sharing is the best we can do to help the donations for this initiative to keep coming in. Spread the word!
These are some truly shocking facts and numbers. I had no idea that a rhino is killed every 7 hours – that’s outrageous. Good luck spreading awareness and raising money!
Thanks, Jessica, I hope you can help spread the word and perhaps win some of the prizes. #JustOneRhino
I’m truly hopeful that this will happen and thanks so much for sharing this information on making it happen
Thank you too for helping to spread the word.
I’ve encountered a couple of articles online recently about the plight of the rhinos. I’m embarrassed to admit I did not know how dire the situation is before that. Very sad. Kudos to you for speaking up and acting.
We each can do so much. Just playing my part. Thanks.
Although the story of the rhinos make me sad, I was happy that people like you and Just One Rhino are out in the world making a difference.
Thank you for the sweet words, Suzanne.
I remember learning the drill as a kid about “Manifest Destiny” and later, as an adult, learning about how our “God given right” had negatively impacted so many other rich cultures. Only through educational programs and thoughtful posts like this one can people be made aware of how we can slow down and even (hopefully) reverse some of the harmful things that we humans have done so thoughtlessly.
Hopefully it’s never too late to change course. One step at a time.
Hi Elaine,
This is a lovely-written essay on the rhino’s plight. Thanks for the work you do to aid the natural world!
Wishing you success!
Josie
Thanks, Josie. I like that you see me helping to aid the natural world. In truth it’s a big part of what spurs my travel and my writing.
We donated to this cause in early December, and I’ve seen many posts from the bloggers participating in this project. But yours really touched me in a way that none of the others did. I am hoping that there is a sizable educational effect out of this effort so that the market for poached animals evaporates. It is truly an insidious situation.
Insidious is a good word for the situation and I’m glad the post touched you. It’s an accumulative effort. Most unfortunately the people supporting and encouraging the poachers probably don’t speak English. If only there were an economic way to affect their actions but we each have to do what we can. Thanks for your donation.
Elaine, I saw a documentary about this recently. I used to live in Africa, and truly grieve for the rhinos, in particular. Senseless slaughter and selfishness is wiping out these great animals. Heartbreaking. Thank you for profiling it. #JustOneRhino
It must be doubly heartbreaking to have lived near these great creatures and know what is happening. Please help promote the hashtag. Thank you.
So great that you are supporting this worthwhile cause.
We can all support the cause with donations and spreading the word. Share #JustOneRhino
A very creative way of espousing the campaign of #JustOneRhino. Congratulations!
Thanks, Carol. Appreciate the kudos.
Wowza! I had no idea there are just 4 white rhinos now left in the world!!! Thx for sharing, Elaine, and for telling us about the #JustOneRhino campaign.
Thanks for writing, Doreen. The White Rhinos are all but gone. The last ones are in captivity. The wild Rhinos are still struggling to remain a viable species but without help they’ll go the way of the Whites.
It’s really tragic what is happening with both rhinos and elephants. It’s important to protect them where possible, and also have public education to stop the senseless demand in Asia.
Thanks for reading and for helping to spread the word about #JustOneRhino
It’s tragic what’s happening to the rhinos, and kudos to this project for working so hard to give them some hope.
Thanks. Spread #JustOneRhino