World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22 every year. World Rhino Day creates an avenue for N.G.O.s, zoos, wildlife conservation centers, research centers, and concerned individuals to unite and seek new ways to ameliorate poaching practices and preserve certain extremely endangered rhinoceros species from total extinction. Over the years, rhinos have been hunted by poachers for their horns and blood, which is used in traditional Asian medicine and believed to contain a cure for cancer, fever, convulsions, and increased male virility. Rhinos are also poached for their perceived value in the exotic markets of Vietnam.
History of World Rhino Day
World Rhino Day was first celebrated on September 22, 2011, but was first announced by World Wildlife South Africa, in 2010. It took the joint effort of Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota to pull this feat off in 2011. With the increasing rates of poaching of rhinoceros species, it was imperative to call together cause-related organizations, wildlife conservation centers, N.G.O.s, zoos, and concerned individuals to seek effective ways to stop rhino poaching and possibly preserve endangered species.
Rhinos are large mammals belonging to the rhinocerotidae family. They have no natural predators except humans. Rhino species worldwide are threatened and are on the brink of extinction, with more than 7,000 rhinos lost to poaching between 2008 to 2017 in South Africa, which is home to over 70% of the world’s rhino population. In 2011, the African black rhino species were declared extinct.
Every day, approximately three rhinos are killed and poached for their horns. Poachers use tranquilizers to disable the rhinos and inhumanely cut off their horns. The rhinos are then left to bleed to death. Anti-poaching efforts have been frustrated, as most poachers are armed with sophisticated weapons and blinded with greed to see the pain inflicted on the poor creatures. World Rhino Day is the perfect opportunity for us all to stand against the trade of rhino horns and preserve these incredibly magnificent creatures.
World Rhino Day timeline
About one million years ago, the first wooly rhinoceros appears in China.
The earliest record of rhinoceros poaching is traced to the colonial era when rhinos are hunted for sport.
A sharp increase in poaching occurs, driven by the growing demand for rhino horns in Asian countries.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) declares the trade of rhinoceros horns illegal.
The Chinese government bans the domestic trade and medicinal use of rhino horns, removing them from the official traditional Chinese medicine pharmacopeia.
The first-ever World Rhino Day is celebrated.
World Rhino Day FAQs
How many rhinos are left
There are only about 27,000 rhinos left in the wild, according to the World Wide Fund for Nature.
Are rhinos aggressive?
Rhinos are notoriously aggressive, especially if you go too close to them. But the reason for their aggression, mostly, is that they’re just shy and want to be left alone, to wander in peace.
Do all rhinos have two horns?
White rhinos, black rhinos, and Sumatran rhinos have two horns, but Javan rhinos have one.
How to Observe World Rhino Day
Organize demonstrations against poaching
On World Rhino Day, demonstrate your aversion to poaching. A peaceful protest can be organized to create more awareness against rhino poaching.
Start or join a fundraiser
You can start a fundraiser or join one to generate the funds needed to fully equip the anti-poaching teams. This would go a long way in preserving the rhino species.
Read about the rhino
You can only help the rhinos to the extent that you know them. World Rhino Day can be celebrated by reading all there is to know about rhinos. Can you name the five rhino species?
5 Fascinating Facts About Rhinos
Rhinos are partially blind
Rhinos can barely see objects 98 feet away from them.
Famous horns, not bones
Rhinos’ horns are made of keratin, not bones.
Herbivores
Rhinos are herbivores; they only feed on grass.
Small brains
Relative to their size, rhinos have small brains.
Extremely agile
Rhinos are fast on land and can make swift turns in small places.
Why World Rhino Day is Important
It keeps the five alive
At the core of World Rhino Day is the goal to keep the last five species alive. Three of those species — the black, Javan, and Sumatran rhino — are still critically endangered.
It educates
World Rhino Day is an excellent excuse for you to learn about these wonderful creatures. The holiday provides you with the interest and motivation you need to learn about rhinos.
It raises funds to support anti-poaching
The celebration helps raise funds to support efforts to prevent rhino poaching. The anti-poaching teams in South Africa are especially helped by these donations.
World Rhino Day dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | September 22 | Sunday |
| 2025 | September 22 | Monday |
| 2026 | September 22 | Tuesday |
| 2027 | September 22 | Wednesday |
| 2028 | September 22 | Friday |
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