World Rhino Day - Extinction by 2026?
World Rhino Day - Extinction by 2026?

World Rhino Day - Extinction by 2026?

Victoria Falls Conservation Experience

Victoria Falls Conservation Experience

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Help make a difference to Zimbabwe's incredible wildlife and visit the breath-taking Victoria Falls.

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Zululand Wildlife Conservation Project

Zululand Wildlife Conservation Project

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Assist in vital conservation efforts in South Africa, working to protect the iconic ‘Big 5’ and other priority endangered species.

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Celebrating a Conservation Win This World Rhino Day

Celebrating a Conservation Win This World Rhino Day

This World Rhino Day, we’re thrilled to share the story of The Great Rhino Rescue Mission, where our dedicated volunteers embarked on an inspiring journey to South Africa.

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The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project has evolved!

The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation Project has evolved!

The Kariega ‘Big 5’ Conservation project has evolved! In addition to its incredible wildlife-focused activities, the project now offers new community-focused initiatives that align with its mission of building conservation through community involvement.

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David's Journey as a Return Volunteer in Africa and Sri Lanka!

David's Journey as a Return Volunteer in Africa and Sri Lanka!

Return volunteer David Pratt has joined the Kariega 'Big 5' Conservation Project in Africa and The Great Elephant Project in Sri Lanka and has shared his amazing experiences. From memorable wildlife encounters to valuable tips for future volunteers, find out more about his journey in today's blog.

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Posted by Michael Starbuck on 22nd Sep 2015 2 mins

World Rhino Day was first started by WWF South Africa in 2010. Since then, on the 22nd of September each year, World Rhino Day is celebrated in an attempt to raise awareness of the devastating situation Rhino’s around the world are facing.

World Rhino Day - Mother and Calf

Whilst poaching is the most prominent and well known of the issues facing the Rhino, unfortunately for these amazing and ancient animals it is not the only one. Habitat loss, a reduction in their genetic diversity, and disease are all further decimating Rhino populations.

Many Rhinos are poached simply for their horns and are left in immeasurable pain to bleed out and die once the horn has been ruthlessly hacked off. The horns are bought and sold for medicinal and sometimes ornamental purposes, even though they have no medicinal value as they are made from keratin, the same substance as human hair & nails.

World Rhino Day - Baby Black Rhino

The numbers surrounding the plight of the Rhino are simply staggering:

  • As of the 27th August this year, in South Africa alone 749 Rhinos have been poached
  • During 2014, 1,215 Rhinos were killed in South Africa
  • This is one death every 8 hours
  • At the beginning of the 20th century there were 500,000 Rhinos around the world
  • Now there are only 29,000 in the wild

With numbers falling so rapidly it is estimated that Rhinos in the wild could be extinct by 2026. This is why change need to occur now. Awareness of the issues is key and one example of how to help raise it is through Save The Rhino’s annual campaign “Nail it for Rhinos.” By getting people to paint their nails in creative ways whilst donating to their cause, this is an easy and effective way for people to get involved. Other methods of aiding Rhino conservation range from something as simple as sharing a post on social media, to something as hands on as volunteering with the Rhinos out in Africa.

Without human help, Rhino’s will become extinct. It is as simple as that. World Rhino Day is a great chance to help make a difference, but it is only so if everyone plays their part.

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