Endangered Species Monday - Northern White Rhino

For some September means back-to-school and the hopes of a new fall wardrobe. For me, September means something a little different. It means a month filled with creating awareness and celebrating the beautiful rhino on World Rhino Day, September 22.

This year marks the Third Annual World Rhino Day. In 2010 the WWF-South Africa announced World Rhino Day and the following year it became an international success with the joint effort of Lisa Jane Campbell of Chishawke Ranch in Zimbabwe and Rhishja Cota-Larson of Saving Rhinos is the United States. Encompassing both African and Asian rhino species, World Rhino Day both celebrates the beautiful rhino and educates people about the myths of rhino horn. Rhino horn is not medicine.

Each Monday I will  be featuring a different endangered species and what better way to start this new weekly post series than with the rhino. Sadly, the Northern White Rhino is all but gone.

Nola resting at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park - May 2012

With only seven left in the world, two (Nola and Angilfu) at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, one (Nabire) at the Dvůr Králové Zoo, and four (Sudan, Suni, Najin, and Fatu) living at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Kenya where they are protected from poachers, this subspecies is tragically coming to an end.

Javan Rhino - Sumatran Rhino - Greater One-Horned Rhino - Black Rhino - White Rhino

5 Rhino Species Forever

For more information about World Rhino Day events in your area visit WorldRhinoDay.org and to get the latest news, information, and educational content about rhinos visit SavingRhinos.org

Photo credit: World Rhino Day poster image is courtesy of Saving Rhinos LLC