World Rhino Day serves to raise awareness about the need to protect each of the five species of rhino: black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

Several wildlife foundations around the world are urging communities to celebrate these rare and remarkable animals on this day – the World Rhino Day.

Each species of rhino is highly threatened and wild populations of each are dwindling as poaching for rhino horn, the illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss take their toll.

According the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation there were 70 000 rhinos in 1970 and today approximately 27 500 survive in the wild.
Rhino poaching has undoubtedly reached a crisis stage in South Africa.

Poachers are killing rhinos at an alarming rate – if they continue like this rhinos will disappear from our planet within our lifetime.

The illegal trade in rhino horn for traditional medicine and as status symbol for affluent people is largely responsible for the pending demise of this amazing species.

But with the necessary support, the remaining rhinos can be protected by stopping the poachers, traders, smugglers and buyers.

Donations for anti-poaching operations in National Parks and Reserves are urgently needed.