World Rhino Day: why is it commemorated on September 22?

Every year, World Rhino Day is celebrated on September 22, 2022. The day plays an important role in raising awareness to save the rhino species. Rhino horns are hunted for various medicinal purposes.

Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assam is home to 65 percent of the world's one-horned rhinos. According to the census conducted earlier this year, Kaziranga National Park is home to 2,613 rhinos out of the world total of 4,014 one-horned rhinos.

World Rhino Day

World Rhinoceros Day is celebrated on September 22 of each year in order to raise awareness among the world's population of the importance of caring for and protecting the rhinoceros, a species that plays a fundamental role in the balance of ecosystems around the world.

Spreading over 884 square kilometers in the Golaghat and Nagaon districts of Assam, Kaziranga National Park was created in 1908 on the recommendation of Komairi Curzon. This park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in the year 1985. The Government of India has also declared it as a Tiger Reserve.

This is one of the reasons for the slow extinction of this species. It also brings together various groups to save endangered species and conserve them in zoos and wildlife sanctuaries. There are a total of five species of rhinos, which are white, black, one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

There are only two northern white rhinos left on Earth, residing at a wildlife conservancy in Kenya. The work being done to conserve the northern white rhino can also be applied to other rhino species. In the world, there are five species of rhinos: white (with an estimated population of 18,000); black (estimated 5,600) in Africa; single-horned major (estimated 3,600); from Java (estimated 74) and from Sumatra (estimated 80) in Asia. Rhino numbers are declining primarily due to poaching and habitat loss.

There are five different kinds of rhinos

In the African and Asian regions there are five different classes of rhinos:

• The Indian rhinoceros, found in the region of Nepal, Bhutan, and India.
• The Sumatran rhinoceros, which inhabits the Indonesian region and is at high risk of disappearing.
• The Javan rhinoceros, another endangered species.
• The Black Rhinoceros, located in Namibia, South Africa, and Kenya.
• The White rhinoceros is the one that still has the most hope of preservation.

What is cause of progressive disappearance of rhinos?

The main cause of the disappearance of rhinoceroses is poaching and mansalva, since the horns of this beautiful animal are extracted to sell them on the black market and for which they pay large sums of money. This is because people in regions such as China and countries in the Far East firmly believe that rhino horn has true medicinal and aphrodisiac properties.

On the other hand, they are easy prey to be used in trade due to wars, poverty and inequality in these regions of the planet. However, there are some sanctuaries and zoos where this species is protected to prevent its extinction, but a greater commitment from governments and organizations is needed to enforce the laws and punish those responsible for this abominable practice that is ending its existence. of the rhinoceros. on earth.

Some things you may not have known about rhino

• The rhinoceros is a very peculiar animal that is distinguished from other terrestrial species, as it has a hard horn that grows constantly throughout its life, reaching up to 1.50 meters.

• The rhino's skin is so thick that it can become a real defensive shield against any danger, however, they can be very sensitive to sun exposure or insect bites.

• It is a fairly solitary species, only gathering in small herds during mating season, with the white rhinoceros being the most sociable of the five types still in existence.

It is very common to see the rhinoceros accompanied by some birds called buffalo and this is because they feed on the larvae, parasites and ticks that are found on the body of this animal, they are also very useful since through a very particular noise they emit, warn the rhinoceros of any possible danger.

What can the human race do to save the rhino?

Much effort is being made in Africa to help ensure that the rhino does not disappear from the planet for good. Some organizations and foundations such as the so-called Parques Reunidos in collaboration with "Save the Rhino International", are joining forces to prevent the hunting of this species.

There are currently movements in several countries on the African and Asian continents that work hard and together to raise awareness about the conservation of the rhinoceros and thus be able to save them from extinction, before it is too late.

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