World Rhino Day - 5 Species Forever
The world unites in the fight to save and protect the rhino species
September 2014 - On 22 September people across the world will be uniting to celebrate all five species of rhino for World Rhino Day, an annual event that aims to highlight the plight of the rhino species globally.
The Black Rhino. Image Source: www.animalcorner.co.uk
World Rhino Day was first launched by the South African branch of the World Wildlife Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2010. The following year, World Rhino Day grew into an international success and is now commemorated across the globe, uniting NGOs, nature reserves, conservation groups and organisations, businesses and concerned individuals in support of protecting the five rhino species - Black, White, Sumatran, Javan and Greater one-horned.
The preservation of rhino species is of critical importance because rhino are an umbrella species, which means that every animal that interacts with rhino and shares the same habitat are put at risk when the rhino population is threatened.
The two kinds of rhino found in South Africa, which is home to more than 90 per cent of the planet's rhino population, are Black and White Rhino. According to the WWF, there are approximately 4800 Black Rhino and 20 000 White Rhino surviving in the wild.
Source: www.helpingrhinos.org
The Greater one horned rhino.
The other three species of rhino - Greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan - live in Asia and are all critically endangered.
The Greater one-horned Rhino, which is also known as the Indian Rhino, is classified as a vulnerable species and can be found in countries such as Nepal and India, particularly in the foothills of the Himalayas. It is estimated that there are less than 3000 of these rhino still living in the wild.
The Sumatran Rhino is the smallest of the rhino family. Studies show that a population of over 200 Sumatran Rhino exist in the Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra and Borneo regions.
Sumatran Rhino have two horns. A distinct feature of this rhino is the coat of reddish-brown hair that covers its body, giving it the common name – hairy rhino.
First Car Rental's campaign, 'Post Your Selfie & Win', aims to raise awareness and drive donations
Indonesia is home to the last surviving Javan Rhino population of 40 rhino, making the Javan rhino one of the rarest mammals in the world.
The Javan Rhino is a dusky grey colour and has a single horn that grows up to about 10 inches. Their skin has a number of loose folds giving the appearance of armour plating.
To find out more about World Rhino Day, click here.
Support rhino conservation with First Car Rental
The welfare of rhino in South Africa has always been close to the hearts of everyone at First Car Rental. First Car Rental is currently running a campaign, called 'Post Your Selfie & Win', to raise awareness of and drive donations to The Rhino Orphanage - the world's first NPO dedicated to caring for and rehabilitating baby rhino affected by poaching.
To find our more about the campaign click here.
If you want to know where you can see rhino in South Africa click here.