It was inaugurated in 2010 to raise awareness of the need to protect the five existing species of rhinoceros.

Rhinoceros, often referred to as rhino, is a group of odd-toed ungulates. Members of the family Rhinocerotidae are large herbivorous animals.

World Rhino Day was conceived in 2010 by WWF South Africa, one of the national offices that comprise the World Wildlife Fund network. It was dedicated to the protection of African rhino species, the white rhinoceros and the black rhinoceros. The following year, the observance went international and encompassed both African and Asian rhinoceros species.

Although rhinoceros can be found only in Africa and Southern Asia, World Rhino Day events and activities are held in many countries outside these regions, from Australia to the United States. The celebration has become a worldwide phenomenon that unites non-governmental organizations, cause-related organizational, zoos, businesses and concerned members of the public on six continents.

Why are rhinos still an endangered species?

Rhinos are a critically endangered species. There are less than 30,000 rhinos living in the wild today. At the start of the 20th century, there were over 500,000. Human activity has caused this dramatic decline in rhino numbers. Initially numbers dropped due to hunting, but today the main threats to rhino are poaching and habitat loss.

Poaching and illegal trafficking of rhino horn

Poaching and illegal trafficking of rhino horn has increased sharply since 2007 and remains one of the major reasons rhinos are still endangered today. Poaching is big business, and well organised criminal gangs are now well-equipped to track and kill rhinos. One rhino horn can fetch in excess of an incredible £200,000. Political and economic instability within countries can increase the threat of poaching too.

Rhino horn trade has been banned under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) since 1977, yet the black-market demand for horn is high.

Driven by Asian countries, particularly Vietnam and China. It is used in traditional Asian medicine, though there is no scientific evidence that horn is beneficial as a remedy. More recently, and particularly among the middle and upper-classes of Vietnam, the purchase of rhino horn signifies someone’s wealth and success. It is used as a status symbol.

Loss of habitat

Habitat loss is the other major threat to rhino populations. As more and more land is cleared for agriculture there is less available space for rhinos to thrive in. Rhinos need a large area in which to feed and roam. If rhino populations end up fragmented, with no safe ‘corridors’ to travel through, chances of successful breeding and recovery will decline further.