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Save the Rhinos

Save the Rhinos, the EAZA 2005-2006 Campaign, was officially launched on September 7, 2005 at the Annual Conference in Bath. All EAZA member institutions are invited to participate in this campaign which hopes to raise both awareness and funds to help rhinos. A fundraising goal of €350.000 has been set for the campaign.

EAZA RHINO Campaign/Exhibition
“Rhinos – colossal greetings from prehistoric times”

The EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria) has initiated a Europe-wide campaign under the motto “Save the Rhinos." Schönbrunn Zoo in Vienna has reacted promptly and organized a comprehensive special exhibition that will also be presented at the Austrian Zoo Organization institutions.

This extensive campaign highlights the threats that the various rhino species face and the numerous conservation efforts currently underway. The campaign presents a wealth of information about the nature of these muscular creatures, about their biological capabilities and about necessary protection measures. Finally, a major fund-raising effort under the title “rhino” hopes to collect donations for these fascinating animals.

Rhinos are powerful and impressive animals that have walked our planet for 50 million years. They relied on their ability to adapt to a wide range of habitats. Nonetheless, the five remaining species of rhino are all at the brink of extinction today. The ongoing destruction of their habitats and poaching – the hunt for their “horn” trophy – makes them particularly vulnerable. The EAZA Rhino Campaign hopes to save the last of these prehistoric giants. They need us NOW if they are to survive tomorrow!

What does this campaign hope to achieve:

* Save the rhino species

* Preserve their natural habitats

* Educate the public about the specific threats they face

* Support scientific projects

This Europe-wide campaign is designed to educate the public about the five rhino species – a key prerequisite for creating an appreciation for species protection and nature conservation efforts involving these “prehistoric giants”.

Campaign duration: through September 2006

Schönbrunn Zoo has also made this exhibition (German and/or English) available in digital form to all interested EAZA zoos.

All rhino species are severely threatened with extinction. Each of us can play a role in preserving their natural habitat and helping guarantee their survival.

Gaby V. Schwammer
IZE Regional Representative for Europe and the Middle East
Director of the Zooeducation Department
Schönbrunner Tiergarten GmbH

Zoos in North America will also be able to participate in the campaign. The North American campaign will be managed by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) in partnership with the Rhino Advisory Group/Species Survival Plans of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA RAG/SSP) and Ecko Unlimited. The North American Zoos' campaign for Save the Rhinos is focused on three critically endangered species of
rhino - the black rhino, greater one-horned rhino, and Sumatran rhino. The fundraising goal is US$850,000 (€744,830) to supplement the US$1,150,000 (€1,007,710) in funds already pledged to the International Rhino Foundation program. These funds will reinforce already established protective measures and focus on expanding the rhino population. The campaign will target the approximately ninety zoos in North America with rhinos, as well as corporations, foundations, and individual donors. This campaign launched publicly in January 2006.

If you are interested in the EAZA Save the Rhino Campaign, please email Corinne Bos at the EAZA office.

For additional information on rhinos, you may visit the International Rhino Foundation.

The Vienna Zoo has created six different posters for use in zoos throughout the world cost-free. If you would like to use these posters at your zoo, please contact Gaby Schwammer. Both the English and German posters are below.