Save the Rhino

Save the Rhino International works to conserve genetically viable populations of critically endangered rhinoceros species in the wild. Our aim is to increase rhino numbers by providing financial and in-kind support for rhino projects and for community-based initiatives.

Although global rhino numbers dropped drastically in the past century (from around one million at the turn of the 19th century to 70,000 in the 1970; to fewer than 21,000 today) conservation efforts have the potential to play an integral global part in the recuperation of the species. The White rhino, for example, recovered in southern Africa from 50 in 1910 to 14,500 today. The same recovery can be achieved for all five species if the animals and their habitat stay well protected, and if stakeholders work collectively towards achieving this aim.

Three of the other four species are classified as Critically Endangered as defined by the IUCN (World Conservation Union) i.e. considered to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild: the Javan rhino (60); the Sumatran rhino (300); and the black rhino (3,725). The fifth species, the Greater one-horned (2,400) is classified as Endangered, or facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Our Aims
  • To increase the number of rhinos in genetically viable populations in the wild
  • To provide financial and in-kind support for projects focused on all five of the rhinoceros species
  • To encourage and enable the sharing of information, experience and skills between rhino projects
  • To measure and improve the effectiveness of our grant-making activitie
Our grant-making activities

The funds we raise are used to support projects that address rhino conservation through a number of measures:

  • Community conservation programmes that develop sustainable methods by which local communities can creatively manage natural resources
  • Environmental education programmes that teach children and adults about the importance of preserving natural resources and address human-wildlife conflict issues
  • Anti-poaching and monitoring patrols, which detect and deter poachers and gather information about rhino ranges and numbers
  • Translocations, so that rhinos from established populations can be reintroduced to former habitats
  • Research into the threats to rhino survival and alternatives to the use of rhino horn
  • Veterinary work, such as the implanting of transmitters into horns, or removal of snare
Our approach
  • We employ a pragmatic approach focused on viable populations, and are not sentiment-driven
  • We support the sustainable use of natural resources for the mutual benefit of wildlife, habitat and local communities
  • We do not create or run our own projects in the field; rather, we find rhino conservation projects that we think are doing a good job, and then fund them
  • We prefer to work with projects on a long-term basis, rather than making one-off or ad hoc grants
  • SRI is a fundraising organisation, not a campaigning one: we do not get involved in political lobbying or petitioning
  • We believe in the value of partnership working with other in situ and ex situ NGOs and conservation organisations.

Registered Charity No. 1035072.

To learn more about any of the work that we do take a look at our website.