Happy World Rhino Day!
We’re celebrating World Rhino Day! Each year, September 22nd is dedicated to saving rhinos and raising awareness about rhino conservation efforts. Once again, Blue Rhino is partnering with the International Rhino Foundation to help save endangered rhinos around the world.
What The International Rhino Foundation Does
There are currently five rhinoceros species still alive on Earth: Black, White, Sumatran, Javan, and Greater One-Horned rhinos. The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) strives to increase the number of rhinos throughout the world. Their vision? A world where rhinos thrive in the wild – instead of just surviving.
IRF has funded rhino conservation efforts in 10 countries using grants and field programs. It has invested more than $20 million in rhino conservation over the past 10 years. IRF aims to reduce poaching, conserve rhino habitats, increase breeding in captivity, and educate people about the possibility that rhinos may become extinct if we don’t act. Supporting rhinos also helps the environment through restoring wildlife habitats and partnering with local communities. You can learn more about IRF’s mission by visiting their website here.
Where Blue Rhino Comes In
IRF wants to ensure the survival of rhinos through its strategic partnerships, targeted protection efforts, and scientifically-sound interventions. At Blue Rhino, and our parent company Ferrellgas, we believe that it is important to give back by sponsoring IRF. We want our company to be sustainable and leave the world a better place than we found it. Our partnership with IRF is just one way we’re supporting the global community. It's all part of the Ferrellgas Century Project.
Our partnership also aligns with many of Blue Rhino’s core values. The integrity of our company – and our investments – is incredibly important to us. We strive to collaborate with organizations that are adaptable and make good decisions, because we try to do the same. We love working with organizations which are fully committed to a cause, just like IRF is. Our partnership with IRF just makes sense.
How You Can Get Involved
Getting involved in saving the rhinos is easy! You can make a monetary donation on IRF’s website. No amount is too small. Even a few dollars can have a big impact.
You can also share IRF’s posts on social media to spread the word about endangered rhinos to your family and friends. Start a conversation! The more people know, the better.
Any outreach or support is important. But probably the most unique thing you can do to support IRF is symbolically adopt a rhino! You can adopt one in your own name, for a friend, or a relative who is passionate about wildlife conservation. IRF’s website has clickable photos where you can learn more about adopting a Black or Greater One-Horned Rhino. Once you adopt, you’ll get a digital certificate to print, a digital photo of your newly adopted rhino, a biography, and an exclusive rhino adoption sticker. You can also symbolically adopt a K9 Ranger, which is specifically trained to fight wildlife crime. These dogs are vital tools when it comes to spotting poachers; They often act as an early warning system for their handlers because of their amazing senses of smell, hearing, and sight.
A Taste of the Local Culture
IRF does its work at sites in India, Java, Sumatra, South Africa, Vietnam, and Zimbabwe. It’s a world away from our Blue Rhino headquarters in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. But that doesn’t mean you can’t get a little taste of the culture from afar. We worked with Operation BBQ Relief – another one of the amazing charities that we partner with – to come up with some grilling recipes inspired by the regions where endangered rhinos live. The recipes pair bold flavors with fresh ingredients to make a big impact. It’s a flavor palate you may not have tried before, so why not give it a whirl the next time you fire up the grill? You may find a new favorite.
How does Tandoori Salmon sound? With savory flavors of garlic, ginger, paprika, cumin, and turmeric, your mouth will be watering before the salmon hits the grates on the grill. Cayenne adds a little heat, and a layer of the yogurt and clove mixture keeps the fish moist and delicious. Our recipe also includes a simple salad of cucumbers and tomatoes – a fresh burst of flavor to balance out the rich, buttery goodness of the salmon.
You might also try our Baari Rack of Lamb. This is a fresh take on lamb chops doesn’t involve that little jar of mint jelly your mother used to serve. Instead, it relies on earthy and bright flavors from rosemary and lemon zest. They key to keeping the lamb chops juicy? Let the meat rest after you grill it rather than cutting into it right away. It’ll give the lamb a chance to reabsorb its juices, keeping all that wonderful flavor inside.
Grilled Peri Peri Chicken is a fun new twist on grilled chicken legs. It all starts with a flavorful marinade made with peppers, garlic and paprika. Cilantro and Basil add a fresh burst of flavor. Once it’s fully cooked, this chicken is topped with chopped parsley and spicy chili flakes for a little bit of heat. No dipping sauce needed! This chicken stands out on its own.
Longing for a burger but also looking to try something new? Satisfy your cravings with this flavor-packed Grilled Portobella Burger. Marinated in Italian dressing and filled with parmesan, parsley, and oregano, you’ll never miss the meat! Once grilled, top your burger off with lightly charred lettuce, tomato, and any other toppings that are calling your name.
Why Our Partnership with IRF Is So Important
We only have one Earth – one planet where we all live. That includes humans and animals. Sadly, because of the actions of some people, there are many endangered animals around the world, including rhinos.
We at Blue Rhino are proud to support IRF. Our efforts are having a positive impact each and every day. Thanks to IRF’s tireless work, poaching was virtually eliminated, Zimbabwe’s Black rhino population stabilized, and eventually increased. And they’re not done yet. Other species of rhinos are still critically endangered. Without intervention, they’ll be gone for good.
There’s still so much more IRF hopes to accomplish as it continues its conservation and education work, and Blue Rhino is honored to play a part. We want our world to thrive and grow, and we want our “Herd” to be a part of that effort.
Published: 2022.09.20 | Last updated: 2024.04.24