Climate Change Threatens Rhinos' Survival in Southern Africa

Rising Temperatures and Drier Conditions Predicted to Exceed Rhinos' Tolerance by 2085

Southern Africa, home to the majority of the world's remaining black and white rhinoceroses, is experiencing rapid climate change, with temperatures rising above the animals' tolerance levels.
Rhinos, which don't sweat and cool off by bathing and finding shade, are more sensitive to temperature increases than changes in precipitation.
Under high greenhouse gas emissions scenarios, every park except Tsavo West National Park in Kenya will become increasingly drier, exacerbating the impact of rising temperatures on the rhinos.
By 2085, under high-emissions scenarios, the probability of either rhino species surviving in the studied parks shrinks to zero.
Researchers urge park managers to plan for these changes by increasing water supplies, tree cover, monitoring for stress, and planning for rhino migration.