Cincinnati Zoo Celebrates World Rhino Day

Posted September 11, 2013

Event: Sunday, September 22, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

CINCINNATI, OH (September 5, 2013) – The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is celebrating the 4th Annual World Rhino Day on Sunday, September 22, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Guests of all ages are invited to come out and join the festivities to raise awareness and promote conservation efforts for the five critically endangered species of rhinoceros.

“Three of the world’s five rhino species have been increasing in numbers but the recent staggering increase in poaching is about to change the trajectory for these rhinos,” said Dr. Terri Roth, Vice-President of Conservation and Director of the Zoo’s Center for Conservation & Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW). “Because the life-threatening issues facing this species are the direct result of human interference it only makes sense that we should do something to help.  We are passionate about rhinos here in Cincinnati, so it’s a natural for us to participate in the World Rhino Day celebration along with others all over the globe who share our concerns for these amazing animals.”

The 2013 World Rhino Day will feature many informative and fun events designed to educate and inspire visitors to act on behalf of the rhinos. Interactive encounters will take place throughout the day at the Black, Indian and Sumatran Rhino exhibits. There will be a “Where do I live?” habitat station, a Junior Ranger craft station, a Horn-y Rhino Station (where visitors will match horns), a Travel mobile crate station, and a “Spraying for Survival” squirt gun station. Visitors can also participate in a scavenger hunt, or shop at the Rhino Marketplace, which will be located across from Manatee Springs and feature items like rhino paintings and ornaments.

In addition to fun interactive stations, visitors will also experience Keeper Encounters and Meet-a-Scientists talks at rhino exhibits.   And, a Rhino Raffle which will include two framed rhino Rembrandt paintings (painted by one of the Zoo’s resident rhinos) and a behind-the-scenestours of the Indian rhino area and the Sumatran Rhino exhibit. Other prizes include rhino t-shirts designed and donated by a rhino head keeper, gift baskets full of rhino products and Zoo tickets, rhino etched wine glasses, a rhino tote bag, rhino themed wine baskets, and rhino prints framed and signed by photographer Tom Uhlman. Raffle tickets can be purchased for $5 apiece or $20 for 5. The raffle will close at 3:30 p.m. and winners will be announced afterwards.  All proceeds from the raffle will go towards rhino conservation in support of the “Stop Poaching Now” campaign and the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary in Indonesia.

The Cincinnati Zoo has been actively involved in the preservation and conservation of endangered species of rhinos and the Zoo’s Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife (CREW) has been internationally recognized for its Rhino Signature Conservation Project as a result of its successful work with both Indian and Sumatran rhinos.

World Rhino Day is free with Zoo admission.