Rhino Horn is NOT Medicine » Announcements

US Launches Campaign to Increase Conviction Rates for Rhino Crimes in Southern Africa

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 17:35:10 +0000

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, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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Take Action to Protect the World’s Only Javan Rhinos

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 23:23:28 +0000

“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

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By Popular Demand: ‘Horny’ Rhino T-Shirts (and More)

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 17:26:51 +0000

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.

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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Updated Rhino Species Fact Sheets

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 02:21:36 +0000

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

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

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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Javan and Sumatran Rhino Posters

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 00:58:58 +0000

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

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Get Ready for World Rhino Day 2011 [Video]

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Mon, 08 Aug 2011 21:23:42 +0000

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

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Cookies, Crafts and Cocktails: Fresh Ideas for World Rhino Day 2011

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 23:32:09 +0000

A list of creative ways for you to celebrate World Rhino Day!

The Second Annual World Rhino Day is September 22^nd and we’ve compiled a helpful list of creative ideas to get you started!

Cause-related organizations, NGOs, zoos, and members of the public are encouraged to celebrate these precious pachyderms with both offline and online activities.

Root of the rhino crisis

At the root of the rhino crisis is the myth that rhino horn contains curative properties.

For that reason, World Rhino Day 2011 is highlighting efforts to debunk the myths and diminish the demand for rhino horn.

World Rhino Day tradition continues

Last year, WWF led the inaugural World Rhino Day initiative by asking people around the world to make noise for rhinos in an effort to bring attention to the rhino crisis, and to help raise funds for anti-poaching efforts.

This year, the World Rhino Day tradition continues with a team effort led by Zimbabwe-based Chishakwe Ranch and US-based Saving Rhinos LLC.

‘All in for Rhinos’

The World Rhino Day 2011 flagship project is the production of “All in for Rhinos”, which will feature user-generated content and showcase the creative ways people are raising awareness about the rhinos’ plight and spreading the message that rhino horn is not a remedy.

Beginning now and through September 22^nd, we are inviting people from every corner of the world to submit photos for inclusion in World Rhino Day 2011′s “All in for Rhinos” feature!

You can post your photos to World Rhino Day 2011 – if possible, use high-resolution photos.

(Note: Photos which feature how people are celebrating rhinos will be given preference for the “All in for Rhinos” project.)

Please feel free to share your rhino photos on World Rhino Day 2011.

Get creative

Please consider taking some time between now and September 22^nd to celebrate World Rhino Day and participate in “All in for Rhinos”. The suggestions that follow are mainly time commitments and are very pocketbook-friendly.

We hope these ideas get your creative juices flowing!

Posters in Action

We want to see posters up all over the world!

Feeling crafty? Create your own posters! Or download posters from Saving Rhinos’ World Rhino Day 2011 poster collection.
Print the posters and put them up where people will be sure to see them: Schools, businesses, at your office, your favorite coffeehouse or the shopping center kiosk are just a few suggestions!
Take photos of the posters when you have them up!
Share your photos of “posters in action” on World Rhino Day 2011 at facebook.com/WorldRhinoDay2011

Wall of rhinos

Rhinos, paint, and kids: A crafty combination for a World Rhino Day classroom art project!

Have your students paint pictures of rhinos – the more, the better
Put all of the kids’ artwork up in the classroom – until an entire wall is covered with rhinos
Take a photo of the “wall of rhinos” so we can include it in “All in for Rhinos”!

Chalk it up

This is a great way for kids (of all ages) to get involved – and get outdoors, too!

Use chalk to draw rhinos on neighborhood and city sidewalks, and playgrounds
You can also write conservation messages such as “rhino horn is not medicine” or a simple “World Rhino Day is September 22!”
There are more ideas for using sidewalk chalk at “Walking on Wildlife” here.

Have a party

Is there a birthday (or anniversary) coming up in your family, classroom or at the office?

How about celebrating with rhino-shaped cookies, a rhino decorated cake – or even a rhino made out of cake?

Check out this amazing rhino-shaped cake:

For the adults: Did you know there is a cocktail called “Charging Rhino”? Here’s the recipe via MixedDrinkWorld.com:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 oz vodka
1/2 oz Campari bitters
1/2 oz dry vermouth

Preparation Instructions: Shake ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with twist of lemon.

Servings: 1 person

Serve In: Cocktail glass

Make some noise

Following in the WWF tradition of the first World Rhino Day, dust off your vuvuzela and make noise for rhinos!

No vuvuzela? Honk your car horn or your didgeridoo, crank up your electric guitar or just give a rhino-sized shout!

You can also donate to WWF’s rhino conservation efforts here.

Social media sharing

It is simple and effective to spread messages via social media.

Bloggers – write about World Rhino Day and post your link to World Rhino Day 2011. (Please note: Posts which advocate violence or harm will be deleted.)

For those of you using Twitter, the hashtag is #worldrhinoday – you can help make World Rhino Day a trending topic!

One of the most popular social media networks is Facebook®. You can also help spread the word on StumbleUpon, Reddit, Digg, and others.

Connect

Connect with World Rhino Day 2011 on Facebook® at facebook.com/WorldRhinoDay2011.

NGOs, zoos, cause-related organizations: Are you holding a fundraiser or promotion for World Rhino Day? Please post a link to your event to the World Rhino Day, or send your information to info (at) savingrhinos (dot) org.

See you there!

Image #1, #2 & #3: Saving Rhinos LLC; #4 © iStockphoto.com; #5 via webstockbox.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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World Rhino Day 2011 Posters!

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:22:47 +0000

A colorful collage of rhinos are featured in our collection of posters for World Rhino Day 2011.

We have just released a four-poster set for World Rhino Day 2011! The black rhino is representing the two African species and the greater one-horned rhino is representing the three Asian Species.

Spreading the word: Thank you to The Earth Times for their article “World Rhino Day 2011 coming – get ready to blow your horns for rhinos!” – read it here.

Print and share – or create your own posters

Links for downloading are included below each poster (formatted to print from your desktop).

1) Print the posters and put them up where people will be sure to see them: Schools, businesses, at your office, your favorite coffeehouse or the shopping center kiosk are just a few suggestions!

2) Take photos of the posters when you have them up!

3) Share your photos of “posters in action” on the World Rhino Day 2011 page on Facebook® at facebook.com/WorldRhinoDay2011

3) We will be featuring YOUR photos of the posters from around the world in a very cool presentation following World Rhino Day!

Enjoy the posters and thank YOU for helping to raise awareness about rhinos on World Rhino Day 2011!

Black rhino profile on black background

Download the poster here (6.3MB).

Black rhino profile on mustard seed background:

Download the poster here (11MB).

Greater one-horned rhino profile on black background:

Download the poster here (278KB).

Greater one-horned rhino profile on mustard seed background:

Download it here (11MB).

High resolution full-sized posters

Each poster is also available in a high resolution format at the full poster size of 16 x 20 inches. We will upload those later this week.

However, if you need the full-sized high resolution files now, please contact info (at) savingrhinos (dot) org with “WRD Posters” in the subject line.

About World Rhino Day 2011

When: World Rhino Day is September 22^nd, 2011.

Where: Join the virtual celebration at facebook.com/WorldRhinoDay2011. Connect and share both online and offline activities!

Who: Friends of the rhino everywhere! Together with Chishakwe ranch in Zimbabwe, we have set up the World Rhino Day 2011 page on Facebook® – and the hashtag is #worldrhinoday for anyone on Twitter.

Why: Worldwide rhino supporters are working to raise awareness about the fact that rhino horn does not contain any medicinal properties at all – yet hundreds of these gentle pachyderms have already been slaughtered because of this myth.

See you there!

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Save the Date: World Rhino Day is September 22

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 04:48:20 +0000

The second annual World Rhino Day is approaching!

Just a short announcement to let everyone know that World Rhino Day 2011 is going to be here in a few short weeks: September 22^nd is the big day!

Last year, WWF established World Rhino Day for people all over the world to take a stand against rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

This year, Saving Rhinos and friends around the world are continuing the tradition and invite rhino supporters to join together again on September 22^nd to help raise awareness about the rhino crisis – and share the message that rhino horn is not medicine.

Twitter hashtag: #worldrhinoday
Grassroots: Our partners PARC/Nepal will be holding public awareness activities with local communities the Chitwan National Park Buffer Zone on World Rhino Day.
Facebook® Page: Our friends at Chishakwe (Zimbabwe) have already set up World Rhino Day 2011 – if you’re on Facebook®, check it out!
TRAFFIC awareness campaign: Our friends at TRAFFIC Southeast Asia are featuring rhinos in September, as part of their “Twelve in Trouble” online awareness campaign!
More activities and friends will be added soon!

Stay tuned – we will be providing an abundance of details and information during the next few days!

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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Appetite for Illegal Rhino Horn Behind Museum Heists

Rhishja Cota-Larson — Wed, 20 Jul 2011 22:28:51 +0000

Please see the following joint statement regarding the increased thefts of rhino horn from museums.

Saving Rhinos LLC, together with the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), and Save the Rhino International have issued the following joint statement to address the surge in museum heists which have targeted rhino horn.

Joint statement

“Across Europe, thieves are targeting museums to steal antique rhino horns. These crimes obviously have grave implications for museum collections and visitors, as well as the Earth’s rhinos, who are being slaughtered to near extinction to fuel the demand for their horns on the black market. These thefts speak to the value of products derived from wildlife and the lengths to which people will go to profit from their illicit trade.

Rhino horns are still a prized traditional remedy in East Asia, despite repeated scientific studies proving that they have no medicinal benefit, and recent warnings that they may actually harm human health. With a great demand for such items, they are being pilfered at an alarming rate. Just last week, law enforcement agencies linked the thefts to an Irish organized crime group, which is also involved in drug trafficking, money laundering, and the piracy of counterfeit goods.

Rhinos are an important part of our natural and cultural heritage. It is extremely vital that the international community – especially those countries where the demand for rhino horn is greatest – enforce existing laws and treaties to protect the species. Additionally, we urge the public to stop buying rhino horns, and all other illicit art and wildlife products.

The trafficking of these species will only end when the demand does – or when the supply runs out – whichever happens first. For the sake of the rhinos, and all of us, we hope that it will not be the latter.”

Saving Rhinos LLC

Despite the fact rhino horn has been rigorously analyzed and found to contain no medicinal properties whatsoever, it continues to be used illegally as a ‘cure-all’ and is even marketed as a treatment for cancer in East and Southeast Asia. – Rhishja Larson, Founder/Program Director, Saving Rhinos LLC and author of the blog Rhino Horn is Not Medicine.

Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation

This is not Hollywood, where museum heists are glamorous, and even harmless. These crimes threaten a species with extinction and endanger the public. We are all victims. – Tess Davis, Executive Director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Cultural Heritage Preservation (LCCHP).

International Fund for Animal Welfare

We’re very concerned about these thieves operating in the US – first and foremost because it shows the tremendous demand that exists for wildlife products such as rhino horn and elephant ivory – and also because we frequently display public exhibitions of wildlife trade as an educational tool. These exhibits could conceivably become targets for the thieves. – Kelvin Alie, Director, Prevention in Illegal Wildlife Trade Program, International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

Save the Rhino International

The recent museum break-ins serve to highlight that the rhino poaching problem is not confined to Africa and Asia and that a high level of criminal activity pervades all aspects of this illegal trade. – Lucy Boddam-Whetham, Acting Director, Save the Rhino International.

Learn more

Check out the following articles to learn more about the connection between antiques, artifacts, and the illegal rhino horn trade:

July 11^th, 2011: Rhino Horn Robbers Strike French Museum and Czech Castle
July 7^th, 2011: Europol Advisory: Irish Organized Crime Network Targeting Rhino Horn
July 6^th, 2011: Rhino Head Stolen from Brussels Museum
May 7^th, 2011: US Sentences Two Rhino Horn Smugglers to Prison
February 21^st, 2011: Effective Immediately: Illegal to Trade Rhino Horn Trophies in UK
September 29^th, 2010: Javan Rhino Head Commands Surprisingly High Price at Australian Auction
July 22^nd, 2010: Taxidermists Warn Against ‘Suspicious’ Buyers Seeking Rhino Horn Trophies

Rhishja Cota-Larson

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