1 2026 - DUE 17 April 2026; 100% Correct solutions and
explanations.
Assessment 6: “Save the Rhino!” – Discussion Contribution
Step One: Original Answer and Reasoning
When I first encountered the multiple-choice question: “Save the
rhino!!!!” My personal opinion on this statement is most closely
described by…, my original answer was:
Option d: “We must save rhino because their survival is critical for
sustaining healthy ecosystems.”
I chose this answer because, at the time, I viewed the rhino primarily
through its instrumental value. Rhinos play a critical ecological role in
their habitats. For instance, their grazing patterns shape vegetation,
which impacts other species, including insects, birds, and smaller
herbivores. Removing rhinos from an ecosystem could disrupt these
interactions, leading to overgrowth of some plant species and decline of
others. Their presence contributes to biodiversity, which in turn benefits
humans by maintaining ecosystem services such as water regulation, soil
fertility, and climate stability.
Additionally, rhinos have economic significance through eco-tourism.
In South Africa and other African countries, tourists travel to see rhinos
in their natural habitat. The revenue generated supports local
communities, funds conservation efforts, and incentivizes anti-poaching
measures. From this perspective, rhinos are valuable not only to the
environment but also to human society, reinforcing their instrumental
value.
At that stage, I was focused on the practical benefits of protecting
rhinos rather than considering whether their survival might be ethically
significant in its own right. My reasoning emphasized the ecological and