Save the Rhinos,
the EAZA Rhino Campaign 2005/6
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Campaign Info Pack & CD-ROM
The Save the Rhinos Campaign Info Pack contains useful information for campaign participants and detailed information on the five species of rhino. In addition, the CD-ROM included in the Info Pack contains pictures, sample educational materials, campaign logos and sample posters. Each EAZA member institution has received an Info Pack with CD-ROM at the Annual Conference in Bath or afterwards by regular mail. Other useful tools on the CD-ROM are Douglas the Campaign Mascot, a sample Save the Rhinos leaflet and sample press release.
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Rhino Information
Threats to rhinos' survival
© London metropolitan police
The prehistoric-looking rhinos used to be relatively abundant, as recently as only 50 years ago but in recent decades tens of thousands of animals have been slaughtered for their horn (some species have two). In some East Asian countries this horn is in high demand and still used in traditional Chinese medicine. In other countries the rhino horn is carved to make traditional ornamental daggers.
Current rhinoceros population numbers
Five rhinoceros species survive: The black and white rhinoceros occur in Africa, south of the Sahara; the other three species, the Greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan rhinoceros are found in Asia. Four of these rhino species are critically endangered. Only the white rhino still exists in reasonable numbers; nonetheless even this species is still considered vulnerable. Two of the four critically endangered rhino species, the Javan and Sumatran rhinos, are close to extinction with fewer than 400 animals remaining in total.
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| Javan |
60 |
Critically Endangered |
| Sumatran |
300 |
Critically Endangered |
| Greater one-horned |
2,400 |
Critically Endangered |
| Black |
3,100 |
Critically Endangered |
| White |
11,100 |
Vulnerable |
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The current rhino population (all five species) numbers only
18.000 animals!
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Prime concerns for the future
If it had not been for significant efforts to protect rhinos by various governments and organisations in recent years, rhinos would be facing extinction or even have disappeared completely in most range countries by now. Despite these efforts the struggle is not over yet. All species are still being
poached for their horn, and habitat loss as well as human encroachment are prime concerns for the future of these charismatic animals.
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Valuable web links
www.rhinocampaign.net - The official Save the Rhinos website for the general public
www.savetherhino.org - Save the Rhino International, supporter of the EAZA Rhino Campaign
www.rhinos-irf.org - International Rhino Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to the worldwide conservation of the five living species of rhinoceros
www.rhinos-irf.org/technicalprograms/afrsg/index.htm - IUCN/SSC African Rhino Specialist Group
www.rhinos-irf.org/technicalprograms/asrsg/index.htm - IUCN/SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group
www.wreep.net - White Rhino EEP website
www.rhinoresourcecenter.com - The Rhino Resource Center is dedicated to the dissemination of knowledge on the five endangered species of rhinoceros.
www.sosrhino.org - SOS Rhino is a non-profit, international foundation dedicated to preserving the five rhinoceros species in their natural habitats.
www.davidshepherd.org - The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) put in an application for support for Greater one-horned rhinos in Assam which has been adopted as one of the beneficiary projects (project J) of the Save the Rhinos Campaign.
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Photography courtesy of Doué la Fontaine Zoo & Thomas Collier
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