Join the International Rhino Keeper Association and the keeper staff of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park for the third annual Cinco de Rhino!

Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to learn more about the world’s five rhino species: Sumatran, white, black, Javan, and greater one-horned rhinos!

The International Rhino Keeper Association and the keeper staff of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are hosting a fundraiser called Cinco de Rhino, May 3^rd, 2012 at Hacienda de Vega, Escondido, CA.

Over 90% of the proceeds will support the International Rhino Foundation’s Rhino Protection Units.

Buy a wristband ticket for $5 entry and enjoy happy hour specials, auctions, raffles, and talking with the San Diego rhino keepers!

Prizes include specialty tours at the Safari Park, animal artwork, and more!

Only 200 wristbands will be sold and admission is limited to those 21 and over.

If you would like to attend the International Rhino Keeper Association/San Diego Zoo Safari Park Cinco de Rhino celebration and fundraiser, join the Cinco de Rhino event page on Facebook.

If you have questions about Cinco de Rhino, connect with the International Rhino Keeper Association page on Facebook.

And help spread the word with #cincoderhino2012 on Twitter!

Host a Cinco de Rhino party

Are you hosting a Cinco de Rhino party? Message the International Rhino Keeper Association via their Facebook page.

You can also help raise awareness by spreading the word in your community and on social media about the importance of protecting rhinos and their habitats.

Cinco de Rhino 2013

Next year’s International Rhino Keeper Association workshop will kick off with Cinco de Rhino 2013 — details to follow!

“Cinco de Rhino” image #1 © Saving Rhinos. All other images courtesy of International Rhino Keeper Association.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Tune in!

Saving Rhinos has launched a new weekly web series and podcast called “Behind the Schemes” which discusses how commerce, corruption, and counterfeit cures are destroying our Planet’s precious wildlife.

Behind the Schemes provides a talk radio-style platform to the people who are rising to the challenge of protecting wildlife in the modern world.

The series features a different guest each week, and topics include endangered species and regions affected by illegal wildlife trafficking and/or habitat destruction.

Videos and podcasts are uploaded on Saturday afternoons (Pacific Time). Website: behindtheschemes.org

Here are the first five episodes:

Episode 5: “Rhino Protection from the USA”

Guest: Sal Amato, Special Agent in Charge, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Northeast Region

• Watch the video
• Listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Episode 4: “Tackling Wildlife Crime in Vietnam”

Guest: Quyen Vu, Founder, Education for Nature-Vietnam

• Watch the video
• Listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Episode 3: “Plight of Zimbabwe’s Pangolins”

Guest: Lisa Hywood, Founder, Tikki Hywood Trust, Zimbabwe

• Watch the video
• Listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Episode 2: “Saving the World’s Smallest Bear”

Guest: Siew Te Wong, Founder and CEO, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre, Malaysia

• Watch the video
• Listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Episode 1: “State of the Sumatran Rhino”

Guest: Bill Konstant, Program Officer, International Rhino Foundation

• Watch the video
• Listen and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

Follow @behindschemes and connect with Behind the Schemes on Facebook.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Great news from our friends in Vietnam — and you can help!

Education for Nature-Vietnam (ENV) has kicked off an innovative campaign to reduce demand for rhino horn. This is especially significant because Vietnam is one of Asia’s main rhino horn consumer markets.

ENV is producing two public service announcements, which will be aired on national TV:

One PSA will capitalize on the recent sentencing of Vietnamese nationals in South Africa to long prison terms for smuggling of rhino horns. The fact that neither man will be returning home will be highlighted, warning others not to engage in smuggling of rhino horns or other endangered wildlife.

The second PSA will follow ENV’s assessment of consumer values associated with the use of rhino horn, focusing on dispelling the belief that rhino horn can magically help treat illnesses.

In order to ensure that the messaging is highly targeted for maximum effectiveness, ENV conducts extensive research to compile an accurate consumer profile and clearly identify values associated with the use of rhino horn.

The founder of ENV, Quyen Vu, recently shared with me that the campaign research includes interviews with doctors, as well as surveys of traditional Chinese medicine shops; at least 20 shops have been surveyed so far. (Check out our entire interview at Tackling Wildlife Crime in Vietnam.)

The rhino horn trade in Vietnam is unique because unlike the country’s other wildlife crime, the killing is “occurring many thousands of kilometers away in South Africa, where Vietnamese nationals have been connected to both illegal hunting and smuggling of rhino horns destined for markets back in Vietnam.”

ENV is actively cooperating with law enforcement agencies in Vietnam and South Africa to combat rhino horn smuggling, and encourages the public to report crimes associated with rhino horn.

The campaign messaging on ENV’s website points out that you “might as well seek relief chewing on fingernails”:

Rhino horn is made from a form of keratin, similar to fingernails. There is no scientific evidence that rhino horn can cure cancer or treat other illnesses as claimed by many consumers. However traditional beliefs, rumors, and desperation in the case of the ill drive the slaughter of rhinos worldwide.

How to help

We hope you will help support ENV’s rhino horn trade awareness campaign. Your donation will go towards the production of the public service announcements.

You can donate via the following pages:

• ENV Rhino Campaign: Convincing consumers that killing of rhinos for medicine brings no benefits, only false hope
• ENV Rhino Horn Campaign: The rhino horn trade in Vietnam

Connect with Education for Nature-Vietnam on Facebook and Twitter @edu4naturevn.

Check out the interview with Quyen Vu, founder of Education for Nature-Vietnam, in the video below or listen to the podcast on iTunes.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Tune in to tomorrow’s ‘Rock Center with Brian Williams’ for US coverage of the rhino crisis.

Be sure to catch “Rock Center with Brian Williams” on NBC this Wednesday, February 22^nd, as the episode will feature South Africa’s rhino crisis.

We will be tweeting along while we watch the episode using the hashtag #rockcenterrhinos — please join us.

Watch the preview below:

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

For those outside the US: The full episode will be available online after it airs.

Learn more at Rock Center with Brian Williams.

(Just a quick note to say I was thrilled to have the opportunity to assist the producers with research for this important episode!)

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

IRF is leading a new campaign to help put rhino horn traffickers and rhino killers in jail.

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is standing up to the rhino crisis in Southern Africa through the Operation: Stop Poaching Now initiative.

US-based International Rhino Foundation (IRF) has partnered with security experts in South Africa to increase conviction rates for rhino crimes and improve anti-poaching operations in eleven highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe.

Funds donated in support of the campaign will go toward providing rangers with training in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications, and rhino identification and monitoring.

Rangers will also receive crime scene kits containing a camera, metal detector, GPS, finger-printing materials, and sealable evidence bags.

Dr. Susie Ellis, Executive Director of IRF, notes that the conviction rate for rhino crimes is appallingly low.

Authorities estimate that fewer than five percent of rhino poachers are convicted – they are literally getting away with murder.

But there are thousands of dedicated, passionate rangers in South Africa, Zimbabwe and other range countries trying to stand in between the rhinos and the poachers.

Find out how you can help fight rhino crimes in South Africa and Zimbabwe at Operation: Stop Poaching Now.

Source: International Rhino Foundation

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William James

There are fewer than 50 Javan rhinos left in the world and you can help protect them by supporting Operation Javan Rhino, a global partnership led by International Rhino Foundation and Save the Rhino International.

Javan rhinos at risk

With the recent extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam, there is only one population of Javan rhinos left on Earth.

All of them live in Ujung Kulon National Park on the island of Java, Indonesia.

The Javan rhino is at significant risk of extinction – one natural disaster or an introduced disease could be the end of this species forever.

But you can help prevent the extinction of Javan rhinos!

Operation Javan Rhino

Operation Javan Rhino is creating 4,000 hectares of expanded habitat for Javan rhinos in Ujung Kulon, to encourage population growth and establish a second “insurance” population of Javan rhinos at a separate site.

Here’s what Operation Javan Rhino is doing to make the new habitat suitable and safe for Javan rhinos:

• Clearing the site for an electric fence and adjacent patrol road
• Constructing a fence and small bridges
• Planting rhino food plants and removing invasive species
• Creating a water supply and salt-lick
• Constructing new guard posts
• Hiring and training more guards and other staff from local villages
• Launching an education program for nearby communities

This immense project costs $650,000 – and $350,000 has already been raised. International Rhino Foundation and Save the Rhino International are asking for your help in raising the additional funds needed to prevent the extinction of the Javan rhino.

Please visit the International Rhino Foundation’s Operation Javan Rhino page to make your donation and learn more.

Sources: International Rhino Foundation and Save the Rhino International

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

More rhino t-shirt designs!

Since 2007, we’ve been offering a wide selection of rhino t-shirts and other merchandise, and one of the most popular t-shirt designs has consistently been our “horny is good” t-shirt. People seem to have fun with this message.

This year – just in time for the holidays – those who enjoy the “horny” double entendre are in for a treat: We’ve just added a new online store called Horny Forever.

Horny Forever features designs that are geared towards adults. (Those of you with an eye for detail might have noticed a slightly different version of the Saving Rhinos logo – more on that later.)

Six ‘horny rhino’ designs

As of this writing, there are six designs (including the original “horny is good“), with more in this week’s pipeline.

In addition to the Horny Forever logo, there is “Big & Horny” (a white rhino) and another called “Making Baby Rhinos” that is simply an illustration of two rhinos (making a baby rhino). “Have a horny day!” is a simple twist on a classic design.

And then there’s just “HORNY” which sports a golden rhino with plum lettering.

Visit both stores:

• Horny Forever – let’s keep rhinos horny forever!
• Main store – home of the “Rhino horn is NOT medicine” t-shirts

Please note: Merchandise is available for online ordering only; international shipping is available.

Rhinos in Nepal

We contribute a portion of our t-shirt proceeds to Partnership for Rhino Conservation (PARC/Nepal) and have been doing so since 2009.

The funds help pay for printing educational materials and sponsoring public awareness events that directly impact the people living side-by-side with the greater one-horned rhino in the Chitwan National Park buffer zone. In addition, we promote PARC’s efforts on our social media platforms.

Find out more about the public awareness activities we have helped support at Update from Nepal: A Successful Year of Raising Public Awareness About Rhino Conservation.

About Saving Rhinos

Saving Rhinos LLC is mostly a self-funded endeavor, and is not a charity or nonprofit, and does not accept donations. I also work behind the scenes to provide subject matter expertise to select NGOs and verifiable media sources.

© Saving Rhinos LLC

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

The latest fact sheets are ready!

Our popular Rhino Species Fact Sheets are now updated and ready to download! Each rhino species has its own fact sheet.

The Rhino Species Fact Sheets were first published in 2009, updated in 2010, and have since been downloaded by people all over the world. The 2011 population figures are based on information provided at the International Rhino Keeper Association Workshop, which was held in May 2011.

Enjoy!

Download the Rhino Species Fact Sheets

• Black Rhino fact sheet
• Indian (Greater One-Horned) Rhino fact sheet
• Javan Rhino fact sheet
• Sumatran Rhino fact sheet
• White Rhino fact sheet

For additional free public awareness and learning tools, please visit the Saving Rhinos downloads page.

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

New posters!

Posters featuring critically endangered Javan and Sumatran rhinos are now available!

Just in time for World Rhino Day!

These A4 size posters are part of TRAFFIC Southeast Asia‘s “Twelve in Trouble” awareness campaign, which was launched in January 2011. Find out more about the “Twelve in Trouble” campaign by connecting with TRAFFIC Southeast Asia on Facebook®

To download a poster, simply click the URL located beneath each poster image.

Javan Rhino Poster

Download the Javan rhino poster by clicking here.

Sumatran Rhino Poster

Download the Sumatran rhino poster by clicking here.

Check out the downloads page of our website for more rhino posters!

Posters & images: © Saving Rhinos LLC & TRAFFIC Southeast Asia. Javan rhino photo © WWF; Sumatran rhino photo © Yayasan Badak Indonesia, courtesy of International Rhino Foundation.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

It’s time to start planning for the Big Day!

The Second Annual World Rhino Day is approaching and we’ve created a short video for you to share!

World Rhino Day is September 22^nd

This special day celebrates the rhinos of the world and highlights efforts to debunk the medicinal myths about rhino horn.

World Rhino Day 2011 is an international team effort led by Zimbabwe-based Chishakwe Ranch and US-based Saving Rhinos LLC.

Join the celebration on Facebook® at facebook.com/WorldRhinoDay2011.

For creative inspiration and more information about World Rhino Day 2011, check out Cookies, Crafts and Cocktails: Fresh Ideas for World Rhino Day 2011.

Photos: #1 iStockphoto.com; #2 Saving Rhinos LLC; #3 Wikimedia Commons; #4 Partnership for Rhino Conservation, Nepal (PARC); #5 Saving Rhinos LLC; #6 Wikimedia Commons; #7 Wikimedia Commons; #8 iStockphoto.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave, and the host of Behind the Schemes. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.