World Rhino Day 22 September 2025

A day to honour one of Earth’s most iconic species and to remind ourselves that the fight for their survival is far from over.

It is also a day to thank the brave conservationists, rangers, and local communities who dedicate their lives to protecting rhinos every single day.

The Reality Facing Rhinos

Despite decades of conservation work, rhinos remain under siege:

White rhinos have declined by 11% in 2024, leaving only 15,752 individuals.

Black rhinos, while slowly increasing to 6,788, are still critically endangered.In South Africa, rhinos are still being killed at a rate of over one a day.

In South Africa, rhinos are still being killed at a rate of over one a day.

When we see rhino grazing peacefully in their natural habitat, it’s heartbreaking to know their survival is threatened by poaching and the illegal wildlife trade. All for rhino horn — which is made of keratin, the same substance as human fingernails — yet rhinos pay with their lives for it.

The illegal trafficking of rhino horn is driven by international organised criminal syndicates, with links from Africa to consumers in Asia. It is one of the greatest threats to biodiversity globally, undermining governments and communities.

Why World Rhino Day Matters

This day is more than awareness. It’s a call to action. Protecting rhinos isn’t just about saving a species — it’s about safeguarding ecosystems, supporting communities, and fighting greed and corruption that drive wildlife crime. We must share their story, raise our voices and refuse to let rhinos vanish on our watch.