Happy (belated) World Rhino Day!
Researchers at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Perth Zoo in Australia teamed up to produce the world’s first accurate, publicly available 3D model of the rare southern white rhino.
Few rhinos survive outside national parks and reserves due to poaching and habitat loss; not yet extinct, the animals are vulnerable to climate change and illegal hunting.
So, while they still have a chance*, the Digital Life team at UMass traveled Down Under to photo-capture southern white rhino Bakari in his full three-dimensional glory.
They released the image on Sunday, Sept. 22: World Rhino Day.
“Perth Zoo shares our vision about how public outreach and the scientific data gained from this model can benefit society,” UMass evolutionary biologist Duncan Irschick said in a statement.
Though fun to look at, a 3D picture of a rhinoceros doesn’t seem like the best use of researchers’ time and money.
But for some conservationists, this type of model is useful for reconstructing body composition and assessing an animal’s physical condition.
“You can’t just walk up to a rhino in the field, but using a variation of these methods … one could recreate the body shapes of such animals,” Irschick explained. “We believe it is a powerful tool with many applications beneficial to wildlife.”
The project follows other work by Irschick & Co., who have created several “Beastcam” rigs to quickly and conveniently capture 3D animals—including live sharks underwater.
“We’ve done a fair number of frogs, lizards, and sea turtles,” Irschick said. “This rhino represents our first foray into megafauna.”
The team set up 20 cameras to take photos of Bakari in 360 degrees—from a safe, non-invasive distance, allowing the animal to remain comfortable and follow its daily routine.
CGI artist Jer Bot was then brought in to recreate and animate the rhino (“like putting Humpty Dumpty back together again,” according to Irschick). Once finished, the researchers placed the 3D image on the Sketchfab website for free, non-profit dissemination.
“It is exciting for Perth Zoo to participating in creating 3D models that can be used for wildlife conservation and education,” interpretation officer Alan Gill said.
“Our animals are ambassadors for their species,” he continued, “and we’re thrilled that Bakari can continue to advocate for southern white rhinoceros conservation programs right around the world.”
* Much like I am anxious to visit Venice before the entire city is under water.
More on Geek.com:
- Zoo Officials Slam Visitors for Carving Names on Rhino’s Back
- Test Tube Embryo Transfer Could Bring Near-Extinct Rhinos Back to Life
- Rhino Poacher Reportedly Killed by Elephant, Then Eaten by Lions
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