Mysuru:  World Rhino Day is celebrated to create awareness regarding the well-being of Rhinoceros. In recent years, Rhinos have been threatened by poaching, urbanisation and pollution, which have left Rhino species on the brink of extinction.

At the start of the 20th century, 5,00,000 Rhinos roamed the wild, by 1970 the worldwide population fell to 70,000, today only 29,000 Rhinos survive in the wild.

World Rhino Day was first planned by World Wildlife Fund-South Africa in 2010. Then, in 2011, Lisa Jane Campbell of Zimbabwe and Rhishja Larson joined forces to promote World Rhino Day 2011. Since then, September 22nd has been celebrated annually by governments, animal rights organisations and animal enthusiasts as World Rhino Day.

To contribute to this worldwide celebration, Mysuru Zoo has taken initiative to celebrate the Day in a befitting manner by displaying attractive Information Boards and Fun Facts Boards about the Rhinos in front of the Rhino Enclosure on Sept. 22 from 9.30 am to 5.30 pm. Visitors can observe Rhino feeding at 10 am.

The general public and Rhino enthusiasts may avail of this opportunity by visiting the Zoo tomorrow, says a press release from the Zoo Executive Director.