Photo © WWF-Greater Mekong

A tragic loss for the wildlife community, our planet, and future generations: The extinction of the Javan rhino subspecies, Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus, has been confirmed by WWF and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).

DNA match

The horrible story began last year, on April 29th, when the body of a female Javan rhino was found in Cat Tien National Park, Vietnam – the last location of Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus.

She had been shot and her horn was removed.

Dung samples collected during a 2009/2010 WWF survey were subsequently analyzed at Queen’s University, Canada, and it was determined that they belonged to just one rhino.

Unfortunately, the samples …read more of Extinction of Vietnamese Javan Rhino Confirmed here

Photo: Clockwise, from upper left: Greater one-horned rhino, Sumatran rhino, black rhino, white rhino.

If you love rhinos, you’ll be excited to know that World Rhino Day is almost here!

September 22^nd marks the Second Annual World Rhino Day – a tradition established last year by WWF as an opportunity for people all over the world to take a stand against rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

US-based Saving Rhinos LLC (that’s me) and Zimbabwe-based Chishakwe Ranch are working together to continue the World Rhino Day tradition in 2011. …read more of Celebrate Rhinos on World Rhino Day! here

Rhino conservation efforts in Nepal received a big boost in awareness, thanks to the formation of “Eco-Clubs” in schools located in the Chitwan National Park Buffer Zone.

It was the grassroots efforts of Partnership for Rhino Conservation (PARC/Nepal) and the Chitwan National Park Buffer Zone Lothar User Committee that helped create Eco-Clubs at three different schools.

The goal of the Eco-Clubs is two-fold: 1) Creating conservation awareness at the local level, and 2) Taking a stand against illegal activities. …read more of Students in Nepal Take Rhino Conservation Awareness by the Horns! here

Photo credit: Yayasan Badak Indonesia, photographer Dedi Candra (courtesy of Susie Ellis, IRF)

The Sumatran rhino has suffered a 50% decline in numbers over the last 15 years. Sadly, it is now believed there are only around 200 Sumatran rhinos surviving in fragmented populations in Southeast Asia.

Like the other four rhino species, the Sumatran rhino population has been decimated because of the alleged medicinal properties of rhino horn. However, rhino horn has been scientifically tested and does not actually provide any curative benefits.

Besides being killed for their horns, the Sumatran rhinos’ habitat is being destroyed by development and agriculture. Conservation groups, such as the International Rhino Foundation and Yayasan Badak Idonesia, are working to save the increasingly rare Sumatran rhino by implementing habitat programs, strengthening anti-poaching efforts, monitoring trade of rhino horns, managing protected areas, and raising public awareness. …read more of Meet the Species: Sumatran Rhino here

Photo courtesy of Pam Krzyza

As one of the most widely recognized animals on our Planet, rhinos are unfortunately also one of the most endangered. Sought after for centuries because of the alleged healing properties of their distinctive horns, these giant herbivores are still the victims of long-standing myths.

Here, we shed some light on the misinformation that is behind the continued killing of these proud pachyderms.

Rhino horn and Traditional Chinese Medicine

For thousands of years, rhino horn has been a key ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine, which has credited rhino horn with powerful healing properties. …read more of Scientific Studies Find No Medicinal Value in Rhino Horn here

Photo courtesy of Kevin Bewick

White rhinos (Ceratotherium simum) are currently the most numerous of the five species of rhino, and are divided into two distinct subspecies: The Southern white rhino and the Northern white rhino.

The Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) is the least endangered of the living rhino species, with a population of about 17,500. This species is classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species®.

In stark contrast, the Northern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) numbers just eight known individuals. The Northern white rhino is classified as Critically Endangered and is now believed to be extinct in the wild. …read more of Meet the Species: White Rhino here

The greater one-horned rhino (Indian or Nepalese rhino), is the most numerous of the three Asian rhino species. These rhinos number just 2,850 and are surviving in only two countries.

Photo courtesy of Suman Bhattarai

Greater one-horned rhinos (Rhinoceros unicornis) were once widespread throughout the northern floodplains and nearby foothills of the Indian sub-continent between the Indo-Myanmar border in the east, and Sindh River basin, Pakistan in the west. It is also suggested that the species could once be found in southern China, Myanmar, and Indochina.

Unfortunately, this Asian rhino species was decimated after decades of demand for its single horn, a key ingredient in Traditional Chinese Medicine. They were also hunted relentlessly by royals and “big game” collectors.

By the early part of the 20^th century, fewer than 200 greater one-horned rhinos remained on the planet. …read more of Meet the Species: Greater One-Horned (Indian) Rhino here

 
Photo courtesy of Suman Bhattarai

Although Nepal is a country filled with wildlife richness, orphaned and injured animals often become casualties, due to the current lack of a rescue center and veterinary care.

Tragically, two baby rhinos were separated from their mothers when the Narayani River flooded during last year’s monsoon season.

Another was orphaned when her mother was electrocuted by a fence that had been illegally set by a farmer. …read more of Orphaned Rhinos Prompt Nepalese Conservationists to Consider Wildlife Rescue Center here