Final answer:
The protection of rhinoceroses requires an international agreement because their survival affects global biodiversity and the demand for their horns is international.
CITES helps countries protect rhinoceroses by enacting and enforcing conservation laws. Black rhinoceroses also represent a broader commitment to biodiversity conservation.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why the protection of rhinoceroses requires an international agreement, such as that offered by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), can be understood by recognizing that rhinoceroses are a keystone species and their survival impacts biodiversity globally.
Rhinoceroses have been hunted to the brink of extinction largely for their horns, which are falsely believed to have medicinal properties in some cultures. Since rhinoceroses in Asia and other regions cross national boundaries, and because the demand for their horns is an international issue, it is essential to have a collaborative and comprehensive approach to their conservation.
CITES provides a framework for participating countries to enact and enforce laws that protect these magnificent creatures and, by extension, the plethora of species that form part of the ecosystems they inhabit.
Furthermore, black rhinoceroses have become symbols of conservation efforts and spark wider interest in protecting our natural world. If species like rhinoceroses were to become extinct, it would not only be a loss of a single species but could also deal a crippling blow to biodiversity efforts more broadly.
Hence, international cooperation is pivotal to ensure that rhinoceros populations can thrive and continue to inspire conservation efforts worldwide.