World Rhino Day, marked annually on September 22, celebrates the five living rhino species—black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran, and Javan—found across Africa and Asia. Currently, the global rhino population is estimated at around 26,700, but several species remain critically endangered. The northern white rhino is the most extreme case, with just two females left after the last male died in 2018. Black rhinos have rebounded to nearly 6,800 individuals after falling by 98% to fewer than 2,500 in 1995, and the greater one-horned rhino has grown to over 4,000. Meanwhile, there are only about 50 Javan rhinos left, and between 34 to 47 Sumatran rhinos. Beyond their striking appearance, rhinos shape entire ecosystems through grazing, seed dispersal, and nutrient cycling—making their protection vital far beyond safari sightings.