White Rhino, South Africa (Courtesy of Wikipedia)
In 2010 WWF organised World Rhino Day on 22nd September. They created awareness of the plight of rhinos by asking people to make a noise: honk their horns, blow a vuvuzela, shout out — anything at all to make a noise for the rhino.
The International organisation Saving Rhinos and Chishakwe Ranch in the Save Valley in South East Zimbabwe are continuing the tradition this year and have declared 22nd September 2011 to be the second World Rhino Day. They are appealing to the many groups, organisations and lovers of rhino who work all over the world on the behalf of battling rhino populations, to unite to make World Rhino Day as successful as possible.
A Facebook page has been set up to act as an online “venue” for everyone to join forces. This is a good starting point for interested parties to express their concern, views and commitment as well as keep up to date on plans and ideas.
One of the main aims of this year’s Rhino Day is to de-bunk the myths that fuel the demand for horn and the poaching of rhino. In particular, rhino horn has no medicinal value despite the long held belief to the contrary. Rhino are dying for nobody’s benefit except that of the criminals involved in the poaching rings.
Pointless deaths and possible extinction of the world’s second biggest land mammal has got to define the ultimate in both waste and tragedy. If we can’t save the rhino, what hope do we have of saving other species?
The problem is getting this message through to where it counts. This is where absolutely EVERYONE can help by using the press, blogs, social media and anything else they can think of to pass the word. Make a poster and put it up somewhere where people will see it. Get your friends to do the same.
Post your ideas, suggestions, results on the World Rhino Day FB page to inspire others. If everyone works together we can make World Rhino Day 2011 to really count!
Download the World Rhino Day Poster (PDF)
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Article by Lisa-Jane Campbell, Chishakwe, Zimbabwe
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4 Comments
8:03 am
Earth-Touch
I’m so glad to see that this tradition is being continued! Even if it’s only a day, rhinos need all the the help they can get. Hopefully we’ll be putting something together for the big day.
12:04 pm
Claudia Kellermann
Educate – Share – Debunk myths
It’s down to each and every one of us to educate others that rhino horn is not a medicine. Using the sharing power of social media and tools like infographics are an excellent way to help spread the world. Here’s one we did to mark World Rhino Day http://ow.ly/6BD13
8:13 pm
Roger Harris
Yes, Claudia, well put. I might add also, “define your audience.” I might have a different message if I am trying to connect with teachers and school children compared with messaging for policy-makers or prospective funders, for example.
8:43 pm
Elaine Freitas
É necessário que todos se conscientizem que os animais tem papel importantíssimo no nosso planeta.