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Save the Rhino

Category: Animals

Save the Rhino International is a UK-registered charity that raises funds to: protect rhino populations and increase numbers in the wild; and to educate and find positive opportunities for impoverished communities living in areas of high biodiversity.

Although global rhino numbers have dropped drastically in the past century (from around one million at the turn of the 19th century to fewer than 21,000 today) international conservation efforts can and do play an integral part in the successful recuperation of the species.

Three of the other four species are classified as “Critically Endangered” as defined by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) i.e. considered to be facing “an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild”: the Javan rhino (60); the Sumatran rhino (300); and the black rhino (3,725). The fifth species, the Greater one-horned (2,400) is classified as “Endangered”, or facing “a high risk of extinction in the wild”.

The fundamental problem for the rhino is its horn, which is made of keratin, a substance found in human hair and nails. Rhino horn is used extensively in Traditional Chinese Medicine and to make ornamental dagger handles in the Yemen. In addition, rhino habitat is being lost as a result of the clearance of land for rapidly increasing human settlement and for agricultural production and / or as a result of logging, both authorised and illegal. Political conflict and, more recently, climate change have added further pressure on the species and the habitat they share with numerous other flora and fauna.

Rhinos are “flagship species” which means their charisma and popularity is used to stimulate conservation awareness. Saving rhinos therefore results in the conservation of entire eco-systems, together with other animal and species that share their habitat, but that might be less known to the general public. This prevents environmental degradation and instead offers opportunities for income-generating activities for local communities.

Reg no:1035072 Site:www.savetherhino.org  Donate direct		Address 16 Winchester Walk London SE1 9AQ		Support by sharing
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