World Rhino Day

September, 22nd 2023

Join us as we recognize and celebrate the amazing species of rhinos around the world on World Rhino Day. The rhino family has been roaming our planet for over 50 million years, but now they face immense pressures from poaching as well as habitat loss. The demand for their horns continues as it can sell for as much as $60,000/kilogram and is used in traditional medicine and as a status symbol of wealth. The reality is that rhino horn is made of keratin, a protein found in our hair and nails, and research has shown there is no medicinal benefit to using rhino horn.

If we continue to lose rhinos at this level, all species could become extinct in the next 20 years. The Javan and Sumatran rhinos populations have each fallen to less than 80 individuals. The Greater One-horned rhino has made a comeback from 200 individuals to over 3,000. The Black rhino population was over 70,000 in 1970 and has fallen to around 5,000 individuals. Finally the White rhino is a good news/bad news story, the Southern White rhino population has climbed from less than 100 in the early 1900’s to over 17,000 individuals. However, the Northern White rhino subspecies is down to two individuals, both female.

Luckily there are amazing conservation programs and organizations around the world that are fighting to save our rhinos, in particular there are incredible rangers who have dedicated their lives to protecting rhinos, a dangerous task with many having lost their lives.

First 3 Photos by Ami Vitale

All Event Times Listed in Eastern

Live From Ol Pejeta Conservancy With Najin and Fatu

September 22nd @ 9:00am eastern

Join us on World Rhino Day as we go live to Kenya and visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy! We’ll meet the last two northern white rhinos on the planet, Najin and Fatu, and the rangers who have dedicated their lives to their care and protection. All hope is not lost as an audacious plan is underway to save the subspecies from extinction!

Ol Pejeta is the largest black rhino sanctuary in east Africa, and home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhino. It has some of the highest predator densities in Kenya, and still manages a very successful livestock programme. Ol Pejeta also seeks to support the people living around its borders, to ensure wildlife conservation translates to better education, healthcare and infrastructure for the next generation of wildlife guardians.

Register Here: https://forms.gle/ecHTnk9ZkRfS4eHG9

Sumatran and Javan Rhinos with International Rhino Foundation

September 22nd @ 10:00am eastern

Join us with the International Rhino Foundation to learn about conservation efforts being undertaking to protect the Sumatran and Javan rhinos, two species whose numbers are below 100 individuals. We’ll virtually explore two locations where they’re protecting these two critically endangered rhino species.

Register Here: https://forms.gle/ecHTnk9ZkRfS4eHG9

World Rhino Day at the Toronto Zoo

September 22nd @ 1:00pm eastern

Have you ever wondered why some Rhinos have one horn and others two? How about why they are so big? Or maybe even what makes them so worth saving as a species in danger? Join us at the Toronto Zoo on World Rhino Day as we get up close with the Greater One-horned Rhinos and learn all about these gentle giants and what makes them so unique!

Register Here: https://forms.gle/ecHTnk9ZkRfS4eHG9

All events will be recorded for later viewing