Rhinos are among the most powerful and ancient-looking animals on Earth, instantly recognizable by their thick skin and prominent horns. These massive herbivores once roamed across Africa, Asia, and even parts of Europe, but today, only five species remain, and most are endangered. Their horns, made of keratin (the same material as human nails), have made them targets for poaching, driven by demand in traditional medicine and illegal trade.
Despite their size and strength, rhinos are surprisingly gentle grazers. They play a vital role in shaping their ecosystems by clearing vegetation and creating space for other species to thrive. Conservation efforts have brought some hope: the greater one-horned rhino population in Asia has rebounded from near extinction, and southern white rhinos have made a comeback in protected areas. Still, species like the Javan and Sumatran rhinos remain critically endangered, with only a few dozen individuals left in the wild.
This edition of World-Wide Q&A honors rhinos as symbols of resilience and urgency. Their survival depends on global cooperation, protection, and a shift in how we value wildlife, not for their horns, but for their place in the natural world.