[dm2]

You argue that humans are not above nature, yet we are the only species that can instantly (and silently) communicate about abstract topics from and to anywhere in the world.

Humans have the unique ability to notice that animals go extinct, we even have the ability to be gods and decide to bring the species back from extinction or not.

What is lost by losing the NORTHERN White Rhino when the SOUTHERN White Rhino is the same creature, just located in a different area?

Allowing the Northern White Rhino to go temporarily extinct is an amazing ability that ONLY humans have ever had. We can easily bring the species back when we solve the poaching problem. Right now poaching is too expensive to defend against while ensuring a high-quality of life for these animals.

Yes, the poachers will still hunt, but it will be more costly for the poachers and hopefully that will deter them somewhat.

[DanBC]

Northern White Rhinos are not the same animal as Souther White Rhinos. They are sub-species of White Rhinos.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_rhinoceros

There's a possibility that the Northern White Rhino animal is very different to the Southern White Rhino animal.

> Following the phylogenetic species concept, recent research has suggested the northern white rhinoceros may be an altogether different species, rather than a subspecies of white rhinoceros, in which case the correct scientific name for the former is Ceratotherium cottoni. Distinct morphological and genetic differences suggest the two proposed species have been separated for at least a million years.[18]

[dm2]

There are more important species in endangered status, in my opinion. Millions of dollars for a hopeless cause to save an animal that only has a small genetic difference and very little physical difference.

The "should be their own species" argument was primarily brought on to promote the endangered status of the rhinos anyways. http://scienceblogs.com/tetrapodzoology/2010/05/03/new-speci...

"The danger in making this sort of suggestion, however, is that changing the taxonomy to suit conservation priority could eventually backfire: it would not look good if zoologists were thought to be tweaking their conclusions in order to suit their favoured conservation projects."