July 14, 2005 — Uncontrolled poaching of the northern white rhino in the Democratic Republic of Congo's northern Garamba National Park could have the reserve scrapped as a world heritage site, a wildlife organization said Wednesday.

"'No rhino, no World Heritage Site,' was the echoing comment of World Heritage Committee," the World Conservation Union (IUCN) said in a statement.

The UNESCO World Heritage Committee helps countries safeguard listed sites through technical assistance and professional training, and provides emergency assistance for sites in immediate danger.

The Committee is meeting in the eastern coastal city of Durban, South Africa, this week to look at the status of heritage sites around the world.

This week, the committee heard that there were only five to 10 rhinos remaining in Garamba where their numbers have been decimated by highly organized armed gangs.

"The committee considered that the loss of the rhino would mean that Garamba would no longer be of 'outstanding universal value'... and therefore said it would consider removing the site from the world heritage list next year," the IUCN said.

A world heritage site is proclaimed when it has "outstanding universal value to humanity" and needs to be preserved for future generations. The list includes places as diverse as the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Great Pyramids in Egypt.

"The northern white rhino is the flagship species for this site and every effort must be made to protect the remaining five to 10 individuals," said IUCN delegation head David Sheppard.

Separately, the Malian city of Timbuktu was removed from the danger list after the UNESCO committee heard about new conservation initiatives and a plan to rehabilitate the site and its ancient monuments, built in the 15th and 16th centuries when the city was one of Africa’s leading spiritual and intellectual centers.

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Name: White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum)
Primary Classification: Rhinocerotidae (Rhinoceros)
Location: South Africa, Sudan
Habitat: Open grassland, savanna, and aridland
Diet: Grasses
Size: Up to 13 ft in length and 8,000 lbs in weight.
Description: Slate-gray to yellow-brown in color; elongated head; wide, straight upper lip; long front horn; shorter rear horn; long ears; humped shoulder; short legs; short tail
Cool Facts: It ranks second among land mammals in size. It uses its horn to defend its territory, fight off predators such as lions, and dig up soil in search of mineral salts.
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Major Threat: Habitat loss and degradation; hunting and poaching
What Can I Do?: Visit SOS Rhino and The International Rhino Foundation for information on how you can help.

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