World Rhino Day is observed on 22 September every year to spread awareness and educate people about the various species of rhinoceros and the danger they are facing.
Rhinoceros have become critically endangered due to continuous growth in poaching and habitat loss. This day provides the opportunity for NGOs, zoos, and members of the public to celebrate rhinos in their unique ways.
World Rhino Day 2022: History
Rhinoceros have been on our planet for a very long time. Earlier there used to be many species of rhinos but today in our world only five species of rhinos are left. In recent years it is also seen that the population of rhinos has been declining significantly and hence they have now become endangered species and face a threat of extinction. |
| World Rhino Day 2022: History, Theme and Significance |
More than 7,000 rhinos were lost to poaching between 2008 to 2017 in just South Africa, which is home to over 70% of the world’s rhino population.
World Rhino Day was first celebrated on 22 September 2011 but was first announced by World Wildlife South Africa in 2010. It happened because of the joint effort of Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishakwe Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota.
They both were rhino lovers and extremely concerned regarding the rapidly decreasing population of rhinos.
World Rhino Day 2022: Significance
World Rhino Day provides an opportunity for all of the N.G.O.s, zoos, wildlife conservation centers, and research centers to unite and seek new ways to eliminate poaching practices and preserve certain extremely endangered rhino species from total extinction in our world.The preservation of rhinos is the need of the hour as over 7,100 African rhinos have been killed due to poaching in the last 10 years. In some cases, they even use helicopters to track down rhinos and once they shoot them with guns or tranquilizing darts, their horns are removed inhumanely using chainsaws or various other things.
People are involved in the hunting and poaching of rhinos because of their skin. So definitely hunters and poachers are a very big threat to these rhinos. In earlier times, rhino skin was also used in traditional medicine to treat diseases like cancer, and fever. It also helped in increasing male virility.
World Rhino Day 2022: Theme
This year the theme for World Rhino Day is “Five Rhino Species Forever“. This theme highlights the importance of the five rhino species which are left in our world today. The theme was thoughtfully decided to draw attention to the protection of these five rhinos. It compels people to take action so that these beautiful species can remain on our planet forever.The Five Species of Rhinoceros are:
- Sumatran Rhino
- Black Rhino
- Greater one-horned rhino
- White Rhino
- Javan Rhino
Frequently Asked Questions about Rhinos
1. When is World Rhino Day celebrated? World Rhino Day is celebrated annually on the 22nd of September.
2. Are Rhinos aggressive? Rhinos can be protective, but they are hardly aggressive. They only get aggressive if you provoke them. Rhinos like to roam around undisturbed and unhindered.
3. Why is world rhino day celebrated? World Rhino Day is celebrated every year on 22 September to raise awareness about the five rhino species i.e. the greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran rhino, Javan rhino, black rhino, and white rhino.
4. What is the rhino horn made up of? The Rhino horn is made up of keratin which is the same protein that forms the basis of our hair and nails.
5. Why are rhino horns so valuable? Rhino horns are used in the form of a fine powder as a treatment for a variety of illnesses such as nosebleeds and fevers.
