WORLD RHINO DAY
WORLD RHINO DAY
September 22, 2016
World Rhino Day is celebrated every year on September 22. It was first planned and announced by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) – South Africa in 2010. In 2011, Lisa Jane Campbell of Zimbabwe and Rhishja Larson’s efforts made it possible to observe the first World Rhino Day on September 22 in the year 2011.
The day is celebrated to raise awareness in protecting the five existing endangered species of Rhinoceros – White Rhino, Black Rhino, Indian Rhino, Javan Rhino and Sumatran Rhino. Rhinos have been threatened by poaching for their large horns. These horns are used for some traditional medicinal purposes which is a myth.
Rhinoceros are large herbivorous mammals. The word RHINOCEROS comes from the Greek “rhino” (nose) and “ceros” (horn) or it means “nose horn”
Black rhinos, Sumatran rhinos and Javan rhinos are in the critically endangered species list.
According to the World Wildlife Fund there are now only three northern white rhinos left in the world, all living in captivity. They include a male named Sudan and two females Najin and Fatu all live in Kenya.
Black rhinos, white rhinos and Sumatran rhinos have two horns. Javan rhinos and Indian rhinos or the greater one-horned rhinos have one.
The largest rhino species is the white rhino, which grows up to 13 feet long and up to 6 feet from hoof to shoulder. It weighs around 2300 kg.
The smallest rhino species is the Sumatran rhino which grows up to 10 feet long and up to 4.8 feet from hoof to shoulder. It weighs around 800 kg.
World Rhino Day has become a global phenomenon, uniting NGOs, zoos, cause-related organizations, businesses, and concerned individuals from nearly every corner of the world!
Source: www.worldrhinoday.org / www.livescience.com
Image credit: www.davidadamsfilms.wordpress.com / www.environmentafrica.org
