Rhino Club’s Weblog

Tourism meets Conservation

Thompsons Africa recently raised their hands to partner with Wildlands in support of their work around rhino conservation. On the 11th of May Thompsons hosted a Pre-Indaba cocktail event for all their partners, clients and some of their staff. The event, at Circus Circus on the beach front, was well attended and Rhino themed, in line with their “rhino” focused stand at Indaba, one of the largest tourism marketing events in Africa, which ran from the 12-15 May.

“The travel industry and wildlife groups are reliant on each other for survival. The “Big 5″ are a massive selling point for tourism operators, as the animals are ultimately what attract visitors from all over the world,” mentioned Dr Andrew Venter as he highlighted the very real link between Wildlands and Thompsons.

Venter presented a moving speech and audio visual depicting the plight of our rhino populations. An auction followed thereafter and saw the auctioning of a SHARKS Rugby Ball (signed by the team) and 3 paintings by top artists, Ian van Zyl, Maureen Edgecombe and Steve Mandy. Attendees also submitted pledges and collectively the auction and pledges raised around R30 000 at the event.

Wildlands are focusing these funds on 2 of their projects namely, Project Rhino Tracker & Project Rhino Aerial Support. Project Rhino Tracker involves GSM based monitoring and tracking of rhino populations, which allows for effective behaviour based management. The Tracker project is complemented by aerial support, which involves light aircraft and helicopters that patrol fence lines and reserve land, and allows for a rapid response to poaching threats.

Wildlands call organisations & individuals such as Thompsons “Rhino Ambassadors.” A Rhino Ambassador is someone that invests in Wildlands’ Rhino Conservation efforts and therefore contributes directly to stemming the rhino onslaught. This Campaign aims to secure an annual donation per annum commitment from Businesses and private individuals for rhino conservation, and in return for their support, each Ambassador is invited (cost free) to participate in a series of events and functions, aimed at profiling their commitment, nurturing their understanding and progressively growing a network of Ambassadors.

For more information around the Wildlands Projects email kevinm@wildlands.co.za, if you would like to become a Wildlands’ Rhino Ambassador email laurenl@wildlands.co.za

Game Rangers Association of Africa (GRAA)

VISION: The Game Rangers Association of Africa commits itself to the protection, conservation and where possible, restoration of Africa’s biodiversityand the continued existance of its wilderness for the benefit of present and future generations.

MISSION: The future of conservation in Africa and the protection of its wilderness lies in the hands of its natural resource managers and field rangers.The Game Rangers Association of Africa is committed to ensure that those responsible for the future of conservation in Africa are dedicated,  motivated, skills-trained, ethical and professional in the execution of their duties.

Advertise in The Game Ranger” Magazine – For details and information contact www.gameranger.co.za

Gold Rhino Club member, Mr D Motaung, took this photo whilst on holiday in one of our Parks

Excerpt from WWF AFRICA NEWSLETTER

“WWF-South Africa has organised a worldwide “Rhino Month” campaign in support of the people on the frontline in the battle against rhino poaching.”

“Africa is experiencing a ferocious resurgence in rhino poaching, caused by demand for rhino horn from Asia. South Africa, the stronghold of Africa’s rhino population with more than 80% of the 24 000 rhinos left in Africa, has been losing more than 20 rhinos a month. “

“The illegal trade in rhino horn is run by sophisticated international criminal gangs. Poachers are well-armed and many of them have military training.”

Rhino Month  culminated in Rhino Day on Wednesday 22 September 2010. At 1pm on Rhino Day,  people around the world  blew their vuvuzelas (or toot their horns or blow their didgeridoos or their alpine horns or anything other kind of horn) in a symbolic call for effective international action against rhino poaching.”

“They’re also asking them to help support the “rhino warriors” on the ground with equipment and training that they need to counter poachers. You can go to www.wwf.org.za to donate and see what the money will be directly used for. “

“Rhino poaching is too big for single governments or NGOs to deal with. The whole world needs to help, or the gains that have been made in rhino conservation over the last 20 years are going to be wiped out by the actions of greedy criminals.”

 ”WHAT YOU CAN DO

Make a noise for rhinos – Spread the word. Tell your friends and families to support Rhino anti-poaching efforts. Challenge others to the do the same; Raise money and contact rhino@wwf.org.za.

“Ask your Asian friends to spread the word about how buying rhino horn is illegal and poaching for rhino horn is hurting a precious African resource and icon.”