Posted September 22, 2023 in Conservation
World Rhino Day 2023
World Rhino Day takes place on the 22nd of September every year to help increase awareness of this incredible species.
White Rhinos are the largest of the 5 Rhinoceros species and one of the world’s biggest land animals. They come from South Africa with smaller populations in east Africa, and live in grasslands and open savannah woodlands. White Rhinos have 2 horns; the front averages 60cm, but can grow to 1.5m! Sadly, there has been an alarming increase in Rhino poaching for their horns. Unfortunately, White Rhinos are currently classes as ‘Near Threatened’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Otto 
Emily 
Binta 
Astrid 
Tayo 
Dara
Here at Colchester Zoo, we are home to 6 White Rhinos: Otto, Emily, Binta, Astrid, Tayo & Dara. In celebration of this special day, our Animal Care Team introduce our crash in the video below.
Our charity, Action for the Wild, has supported Save the Rhino since 2005 and has donated a total of £98,896.79. Save the Rhino’s mission is to uphold the security of Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s Rhino populations by maintaining a viable perimeter fence and to increase the effectiveness of anti-poaching and monitoring activities, in order to ensure the continued and increased competence of field rangers in the Reserve. In 2023, Action for the Wild will be making a further donation of £7,068.04 to provide first aid training and hydration packs for Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park’s field rangers and anti-poaching units.
Did you know… we are also celebrating Elephant Appreciation Day today (22nd September 2023) so why not join us and find out more about our herd of African Elephants here!
