Ricky the Rhino

YOU MADE IT!

I'm so glad you came. Want to see how my story is helping real rhinos? Come on, follow me.

Let’s go!

This is my home.

Big skies. Warm sun

and the best watering hole in all of Africa.

I splash all day and sleep under the stars at night. I love it here

BUT...

there's one thing that used to make me sad...

Ricky the rhino standing alone in the rain

I couldn’t reach my friends. Roads, fences and towns were all in the way, and nothing I tried worked.

I thought I’d never see them again.

I couldn’t reach my friends. Roads, fences and towns were all in the way, and nothing I tried worked.

I thought I’d never see them again.

I couldn’t reach my friends. Roads, fences and towns were all in the way, and nothing I tried worked.

I thought I’d never see them again.

But then something amazing happened

People came to help. Follow the trail to see what they built.

A safe tunnel built under a road for animals to cross

They dug safe tunnels

Now animals cross busy roads without ever meeting a single car.

A winding trail leading around the towns toward the hills

They built a trail just for me

A safe path winding all the way around the towns, leading somewhere wonderful.

People taking down the fences around Ricky’s home

They took down the fences

The fences that kept Ricky apart from everyone came down, one post at a time.

Drag or swipe to follow the trail

Ricky running to meet his rhino friends under the trees

And I found my friends again!

Here’s the secret

That really happens

Real people build real paths for real rhinos. Not just in my story, but out there, right now.

For grown-ups: these real paths are called wildlife corridors, and they’re one of the most hopeful ideas in conservation today.

Why it matters

When I can reach my friends, everyone is happier. And helping rhinos helps a whole lot more than just rhinos.

Everything out here is joined together. Look after one of us, and you look after all of us.

Two elephants standing in tall dry grass

For grown-ups: everything in the wild is connected. Protect one keystone animal and you protect a whole web of life. Animal health, human health and the health of the planet are one and the same.

Did You Know?

Now that we’re friends, want to know some cool things about rhinos like me?

Fact 01

A rhino's horn is made of keratin — the same stuff as your fingernails and hair!

Fact 02

Rhinos love a good mud bath. It keeps them cool and protects their skin.

Fact 03

Even though rhinos are really big, they're really fast. They can run up to 35 miles per hour!

Fact 04

Rhinos can't see very well, but they have an amazing sense of smell and excellent hearing.

Fact 05

Oxpecker birds ride on rhinos' backs. They eat the bugs and help keep them clean.

Fact 06

Baby rhinos are called calves, and they stay close to their moms for 2 to 4 years.

Fact 07

Rhinos have been around, in some form, for over 50 million years.

Fact 08

A group of rhinos is called a crash. A crash of rhinos!

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Join Ricky’s Team

Ready to become a real member of Ricky’s Team? Answer a few questions and I’ll make it official!

What did people build so Ricky could cross safely under the busy road?

This next bit is for the grown-ups. Thanks for helping me share my story!

For Grown-Ups

Ricky’s story is a gentle way in. The problem behind it is real, and so is the solution, and there are simple ways to be part of it.

Learn

Why wildlife corridors matter, and what happens to animals when the land between wild places is broken up.

Learn

Why wildlife corridors matter, and what happens to animals when the land between wild places is broken up.

Get Involved

The Forever Wild Foundation funds conservation projects on the ground in South Africa, from anti-poaching work to protecting the paths animals need to roam.

Visit Forever Wild

Coming Soon

For Teachers

Classroom resources for bringing conservation into lessons, built around Ricky’s story. We’re putting these together now.

Ricky

Finds his Friends

Books & More

Did you know I’ve got more adventures coming? Keep an eye out!

More Ricky books and merchandise are on the way. Watch this space.

Get the Book

Merchandise — Coming Soon

Hardback and other editions are on their way too.

Thanks for coming on my adventure

Now let’s keep the wild, wild! See you soon.