World Rhino Day means being aware of the plight rhino species face, but it also means celebrating their victories both big and small. Here are a few rhino success stories that made us smile this year:
Global (22 September, 2023)— World Rhino Day is dedicated to the various magnificent rhinoceros species that face a great plight due to unnatural circumstances—poaching. To no one’s surprise, poaching for rhino resources has had a detrimental impact. Especially in South Africa, worries about rhino extinction possibilities are very real, not just for conservationists and not just on World Rhino Day, but for everyone and anyone who dreads the day rhinos are animals of the past.
But, as it is with so many big issues, there are moments of good. And of action. And of change. And of success. Since rhino awareness dramatically increased from 2010 onward, there have been moments to celebrate, and we’re sharing a few of 2023’s best:
1. 2000 Southern White Rhinos Rescued and Set to Roam Wildly Again
Earlier this month, conservationists celebrated a moment of massive hope with the news that African Parks, a leading non-governmental organisation focused on wildlife protection, acquired the world’s largest private captive rhino breeding operation, ‘Platinum Rhino’ in the North West.
During the bidding process, the rhinos faced poaching threats as no bidders came forward until African Parks.
These rhinos will now fall under African Parks care, thanks to their winning rescue bid. The goal is to rewild them over the next decade—very hopeful news for the future of the Southern White Rhinos!
2. The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project Celebrated New Populations of Rhinos
Since the first rhinos were moved in 2004, the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project has translocated 230 rhinos to create 15 new black rhino populations on sites in South Africa and Malawi. More than 200 rhino calves have been born on project sites.
3. A Little Hero Made a Big Difference for Baby Rhinos
Earlier this year, little Mackenzie Knott conquered literal mountains (The 13 Peaks Challenge) for orphaned baby rhinos under Rhino Connect. Mackenzie was able to supply all-important funds for their milk and other conservation costs thanks to the kind of determination adults everywhere can be inspired by.
4. Rhino Killing Incidents Decreased Compared to 2022
Last month, SANParks shared an 11% drop in rhinos killed from January to June compared to 2022. This is largely thanks to the rangers who tirelessly protect wildlife as well as collaborations between law enforcement agencies (SAPS, DPCI and the Green Scorpions). A big shoutout must go to the Black Mambas who protect animals in the Kruger National Park region, where poaching trends reportedly moved away from.
5. Rhinos are Becoming Celebrities of Their Own, Forging a Better Connection Between Human and Rhino
Rhinos like Daisy, little Mpho and Esmé are a few rescue success stories that have captured hearts around the world. We saw a lot of love for them this year, which gives us great hope that through the more rescue stories that are shared and the more rhino personalities that become spotlit, will help take people out of the ‘statistics trap’, AKA disconnection through identifying rhinos as numbers.
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