THE RHINO RECOURCE CENTER IS A KNOWLEDGE CENTER FOR RHINOCEROS AIMING AT COLLECTING, PRESERVING, AND CATALOGUING ALL KNOWLEDGE ON THE SPECIES OF RHINOCEROS IN ALL ASPECTS IN A PERMANENT CENTER AND DISTRIBUTING IT THROUGH APPROPRIATE MEDIA.

GOAL

All five species of rhinoceros in Asia and Africa are threatened with immediate extinction and require intensive protection and management, both in the wild and in captivity. Sharing of knowledge among those involved with rhino and their habitats is crucial for efficient and effective management and protection and to advance rhino biology.

Important data about the rhinoceros biology and management are regularly published but is often difficult to access by other workers, especially those working in the field. A thorough review of the literature on the subject is an essential, though costly and time-consuming, part of each program. Much of this work can be facilitated and accelerated by having a center where all recorded knowledge on the rhinoceros is available and easily accessible.

Modern digital technology and the internet allows immediate and universal dissemination of data. The material will be prepared in a format that facilitates the use on digital media and the RRC will maintain a modern functional website (www.rhinoresourcecenter.com), but also traditional ways of access and distribution will be facilitated.

Information will be gathered about past and present research projects on the rhinoceros and about new projects and initiatives worldwide involving the rhinoceros. This will help to avoid duplication and a more efficient evaluation of results and the data can be used by decision makers in their evaluation and analysis.

OBJECTIVES

The main objective is to collect and disseminate all material which bears on our knowledge of the five extant species of rhinoceros in all situations. The Rhino Resource Center will be a major tool for research as well as conservation. The information available worldwide about the rhinoceros in the wild, in captivity and in museums or laboratories will be gathered, preserved, catalogued and made available.

The RRC will ensure preservation of rhino related sources for future generations thus ensuring permanent accessibility.

The Rhino Resource Center will make the data easily accessible using the most appropriate technology, including through the use of a dedicated website.

METHODS

Literature, imagery, digital data and all other recorded material will be collected through searches in libraries and by correspondence with authors and institutions. Participation in conferences and visits to institutions around the world will allow expansion and enrichment of the collections and databases.

All material of the Rhino Resource Center will be catalogued and made available to the research community, conservation agencies, as well as to the press and the general public. The material will be kept in a central location allowing personal visits for research purposes.