Each year on 22 September, the world unites to celebrate World Rhino Day – a day dedicated to raising awareness about the plight of one of Africa’s most iconic and threatened animals. At Aquila’s Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), this day carries special meaning. It is a reminder of both the struggles and the successes in our ongoing fight to protect rhinos, and a celebration of the hope that lies in every calf born and every life saved.
ARC and Saving Private Rhino: A United Front
ARC is the beating heart of Aquila Private Game Reserve’s conservation mission. Established to provide specialised care for injured, orphaned, and rescued wildlife, ARC is home to the Saving Private Rhino initiative, a programme dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and protection of rhinos affected by poaching.
Through Saving Private Rhino, countless orphaned calves have been given a second chance at life. The initiative provides round-the-clock care, bottle-feeding, and rehabilitation, ensuring young rhinos traumatised by the loss of their mothers are nurtured back to health in a safe and loving environment.
The Reality of Rhino Poaching
Despite global awareness campaigns, rhino poaching remains a dire threat in South Africa, where one rhino is killed every 16 hours for its horn. The devastating impact is not only seen in population declines but also in the tragic orphaning of calves, often left injured and vulnerable beside their slain mothers.
Aquila and ARC have witnessed the cruelty of these crimes first-hand, having responded to a poaching incident on the reserve where rhinos were attacked for their horns. This harrowing event marked a turning point, sparking the development of ARC’s rhino orphanage and solidifying Aquila’s commitment to ensuring such tragedies are never repeated.
Also read: What are Rhino Horns Used For: A Look Inside the Lucrative and Lethal Rhino Horn Trade
Rhino Births 2025
While the battle is far from over, there is also reason to celebrate. In recent years, Aquila Private Game Reserve and its and Inverdoorn Private Game Reserve, have proudly welcomed new rhino calves into their herds. Each birth is a victory for conservation, proof that under the right protection and with dedicated care, rhinos can thrive once more in the Karoo landscape.
These births also reinforce the importance of private game reserves in the fight against extinction. Today, half of South Africa’s rhino population lives on private reserves, cared for and protected by conservation-driven initiatives like Saving Private Rhino.
Also read: A New Life, A Renewed Fight: What Each Rhino Birth Means for Conservation
The Rhino Orphanage at ARC
The rhino orphanage at ARC is one of the most unique and vital facilities in the Western Cape. Designed to provide both emergency care and long-term rehabilitation, it is staffed by passionate carers who dedicate their lives to the wellbeing of these vulnerable animals.
Here, orphaned calves are not just physically healed but emotionally nurtured, allowing them to one day return to the wild or live safely within protected reserves. The orphanage stands as a symbol of resilience: where tragedy is met with compassion, and where every orphan is given a future.
How You Can Help
Celebrating World Rhino Day isn’t just about raising awareness—it’s about taking action. Here are a few ways you can support ARC and Saving Private Rhino:
- Support ethical safaris: By visiting Aquila Private Game Reserve or Inverdoorn, you directly contribute to wildlife protection and conservation initiatives.
- Donate to Saving Private Rhino: Every contribution goes towards anti-poaching training, rhino orphan rehabilitation, and ongoing protection projects.
- Spread the word: Share the stories of ARC and Saving Private Rhino to inspire others to take part in rhino conservation.
Standing Together for Rhinos
On World Rhino Day 2025, ARC and Saving Private Rhino renew their commitment to rescuing, protecting, and rehabilitating rhinos in the face of relentless challenges. The journey is not easy, but the birth of every calf, the survival of every orphan, and the success of every anti-poaching mission is proof that there is hope.
Together, with your support, we can ensure that future generations will know the sight of rhinos roaming free across Africa’s landscapes.
