History of IRF
In 1991, intense, organized poaching was decimating Zimbabwe’s black rhino population at an alarming rate. In response, a group of concerned individuals and institutions founded the International Black Rhino Foundation. In part because of the Foundation’s support, poaching was virtually eliminated and Zimbabwe’s black rhino population began to stabilize and eventually increase.
In 1993, recognizing that all five rhino species were facing an escalating crisis, the International Black Rhino Foundation expanded its mission and became the International Rhino Foundation (IRF).
All five living rhino species (black, white, greater one-horned, Sumatran and Javan) are in terrible peril – from poaching, forest loss, and habitat conversion, from human settlements encroaching on their habitats in Africa, Indonesia, and India, and from the effects of living in small, isolated populations that can’t get together to breed. IRF protects particularly threatened rhino populations and their habitats in the wild, while also supporting management and applied research that can help improve the chances for rhinos’ long-term survival.
1989
Black Rhino Poaching Crisis
- Founding members of IRF; Lee Bass, John Kelly, Jim Jackson, John Lukas, Ron Kagan, Don Farst, Tom Foose, Ingrid Schrieder and John Knowles, plan interventions in response to the black rhino poaching crisis.
1992
IBRF supports Zimbabwe anti-poaching initiatives.
1993
International Rhino Foundation
- IBRF expands its mission to protect all 5 rhino species & changes name to the International Rhino Foundation.
- Tom Foose becomes the first full time employee and Executive Director of IRF.
1995
Northern White Rhinos
- IRF begins support in Garamba National Park to protect the last 28 wild northern white rhinos.
- IRF awards its first round of Rhino Research grants. Rhino Protection Units are established in Sumatra.
1996
Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS)
- Construction begins on Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) in Way Kambas National Park.
1997
Javan Rhino Protection Units
- Javan Rhino Protection Units are established in Ujung Kulon National Park.
1998
First SRS Rhinos
- First three rhinos, including Bina, arrive at SRS.
2001
Andalas
- Andalas is the first Sumatran rhino born in captivity in over 100 years, at the Cincinnati Zoo.
2002
Bubye Valley, Zimbabwe
- First translocations of black rhinos into Bubye Valley, Zimbabwe, from threatened areas.
2003
Northern White Rhino Reccomendation
- Recommendation made to evacuate surviving northern white rhinos from Garamba.
2006
Dr. Susie Ellis
- Dr. Susie Ellis joins IRF as executive director.
- Female rhinos Rosa and Ratu arrive at the SRS.
- Yayasan Badak Indonesia (Rhino Foundation of Indonesia) is formed.
2007
State of the Rhino
- First released signature State of the Rhino report annually documents current population estimates and trends for the five major rhino species and all sub-species.
- Andalas arrives at the SRS.
2008
IRV2020
- First IRV2020 rhino translocations to Manas National Park.
2009
Lowveld Rhino Trust
- Lowveld Rhino Trust in Zimbabwe formed.
- IRF awards $240,325 for research projects.
2010
Wildlife Crime and Trade
- Wildlife Crime and Trade monitoring program begun in India.
- Javan Rhino Study and Conservation Area launched in Ujung Kulon National Park.
2011
World Rhino Day
- First World Rhino Day, September 22nd.
- OPERATION: Stop Poaching Now grant program launched.
2012
First SRS Rhino Born
- Andatu is born at the SRS; he is the first Sumatran rhino birth at an Indonesian facility in 100+ years.
2013
Team Rhino launched.
2015
Harapan
- Harapan, born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007 and Andalas’ brother, arrives at the SRS.
2016
Delilah
- Second calf, Delilah, born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary.
2019
SRS Expansion
- SRS expansion is completed, doubling rhino holding space.
2020
Nina Fascione joins IRF
- Nina Fascione joins IRF as the new executive director following the retirement of Dr. Susie Ellis.
- IRF helps launch the first marine patrol in Ujung Kulon National Park.
- Reserve Relief Fund established to help African reserves impacted by tourism loss.
2021
IRF in Nepal
- IRF awards its first ever grant to support conservation efforts of the greater one-horned rhino population in Nepal.
2022
Sedah Mirah
- Third calf, Sedah Mirah, born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Way Kambas National Park (SRS), March 24, 2022. First sumatran rhino born at the sanctuary since 2016.
- Blue Rhino and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), announce partnership to raise awareness of rhino conservation efforts around the world.
- IRF awards its first ever grants to support conservation efforts of rhinos in Namibia.
2023
Anggi and Indra
- Fourth calf, Anggi, born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, Way Kambas National Park (SRS), on September 30, 2023.
- Delilah becomes the first captive-born Sumatran rhino to give birth to Indra, the fifth calf born at the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, on November 25, 2023.
2025
Rhino Leadership Program
- IRF and the Wildlife Conservation Network launch a new wildlife leadership program focusing entirely on rhino conservation practitioners.
Image courtesy of the Indonesian Ministry of Forestry