September 22nd World Rhino Day.

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Today we celebrate the Rhinoceroses,

and to raise awareness of the trouble they face,

from poachers and urbanisation,

all coming from the human race.


This has left some species facing extinction,

while others are becoming seriously depleted,

we need to take action before it's too late,

we cannot let them be so mistreated.


Today is World Rhino Day, a time to celebrate these magnificent mammals whose numbers are decreasing rapidly. The numbers of rhinos falling victims to poachers in South Africa has increased by 7,700% in a 7 year period, from 13 in 2007 to 1,004 in 2013. The main reason for poaching is the rhino's horn, it is powdered and used in traditional Asian medicine where it is supposed to help cure hangovers, fevers and cancer. There are approximately 29,000 rhino left in the world today, in 1970 there were 70,000. There is only one remaining male Northern White Rhino, a sub species of the white rhino, that is now quite old, there are only 3 females, so this species will probably die out. "The government's of Asia and Africa must work together to disrupt trade chains and to bring wildlife criminals to justice" said Dr. Morné du Plessis CEO of WWF-South Africa.

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