World Rhino Day
World Rhino Day
Did you know that rhinos can weigh up to 2,500kg? Thats the equivalent of 25 giant panda bears! These massive
These rhinos are facing an international extinction crisis. There are 5 species of rhinos around the world, in order of the highest populations, there’s the white rhino, greater horned rhino, black rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino species. At the start of the 20th century they roamed free with a population of 500,000 and as time passed their global population had dropped to a recording of 70,000 in 1970.
Today, around the world there are only 26,000 surviving rhinos, with 4 of the 5 remaining species marked as threatened by extinction. Within the 4 species, the black rhino, Sumatran rhino and Javan rhino species could go extinct within our lifetime.
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) states that the four main reasons these rhinos are facing extinction is through record poaching fatalities, growing demand for rhino horns, harmful habitat fragmentation, and a lack of political will to uphold necessary commitments. Addressing these factors worldwide is crucial to the survival of all rhino species.
You can spread awareness in your community about the need to protect these species with peaceful demonstrations, classroom projects, fundraising dinners, or other creative events. Please visit their website for more information, and follow them on social media for any updates they share! If you have any further questions or require assistance to organise an event, please contact the IRF through the contact details we have provided or through the contact form on their website.
