Chapter 11 (Kwasi Obeng-Dankwa)

Chapter 11 begins with Kolbert introducing us to a Sumatran rhinoceros called Sucio. She is only one of five rhino species in the world. Dr. Roth, the conservative doctor has been tasked to try to artificially inseminate Sucio in an attempt to save her species. Humans have killed almost all rhinos and as a result of this, scientists are now trying to preserve the very few that are left. In general, large mammals are all almost in danger. This includes elephants, jaguars, pandas, and cheetas, all of which mostly live in zoos now. Later, Kolbert decides to go visit the fossil site, the Big Bone Lick, to see if she can find an answer as to why large mammals are endangered. One main argument presented is that humans played a major role in their extinction. This is the conclusion reached at the end of the chapter and I agree with it.

In this chapter, I realized the guilty sense that scientists that are working with endangered species have. For example, I feel that Dr. Roth feels that she has an obligation to artificially create rhinos and save them because of humans being a huge factor in their decreasing numbers.  If it was not for their endangerment, I do not think as much time would be put into preserving and researching them. It also shows the hypocrisy of humans. This is because while we kill them off, we are in the end also trying to save them. The theme that connected with this chapter the most is: Natural systems change over time. As discussed in the chapter, large mammals had been in decline even before being hunted by humans. This proves that other natural factors such as the changing of natural rules led to their large sizes becoming a disadvantage. As stated in the chapter, " Before humans emerged on the scene, being large and slow to reproduce was a highly successful strategy... Then, in what amounts to a geologic instant, this strategy became a loser's game. And so it remains today, which is why elephants and bears and big cats are in so much trouble...(234-235)." While humans play a factor in their extinction, natural systems are also going against them. This essentially shows that while if we stop hunting them and find a way to preserve them, that may only slow their inevitable end as nature will not allow them to prosper. The chapter was able to put blame on both humans and nature and this seals the end of the large mammals.

 a picture of a Sumatran rhinoceros