Partners
Project Rhino KZN
SOUTH AFRICA LOST OVER 440 RHINO IN 2011, AFTER LOSING 333 IN 2010
The world rhino population has fallen by more than 90% in the past 30 years. Whereas 30 species of rhino once roamed the planet, only 5 species remain today, and all of them are threatened in some way, with 3 species listed as critically endangered. Three main factors have driven the recent decline in rhino -poaching for luxury products and traditional medicines, habitat loss and political conflict. Of these, the first is primarily responsible for recent alarming trends in South Africa. This is driven by the dramatic increase in demand for ground rhino horn in the East. The price of rhino horn was recorded in January 2011 as R400, 000/kg.
Project Rhino KZN was born out of the need for the large number of different organisations, that are raising funds and implementing rhino conservation projects in KwaZulu-Natal, to collaborate more closely, allowing a more credible and effective use of funds raised. This has resulted in the development of PROJECT RHINO KZN, an ASSOCIATION of LIKE-MINDED ORGANISATIONS allowing collective CO-ORDINATION of Rhino conservation interventions, which are aimed at eliminating rhino poaching and SECURING the RHINO (WILDLIFE) POPULATIONS IN KWAZULU-NATAL. The members of Project Rhino KZN also recognise that the work in conserving and protecting rhino from poaching is symbolic of the threat faced by all wildlife, and that all wildlife will benefit from actions taken by Project Rhino KZN.
Through an agreement amongst all parties, Project Rhino KZN brings together organisations with a common vision and goal; identifies synergies through an integrated, common approach and collectively becomes a representative body which carries powerful leverage ability.
Project Rhino KZN outlines the need to:
- Prevent the duplication of projects / or fund raising events;
- Create a common vision;
- Create credibility within the general public for projects under Project Rhino KZN;
- Educate rural communities and the general public;
- Collaborate, support and promote each member and organisation;
- Ensure cooperation, coordination and sharing of information;
- Create an effective fund raising platform;
- Create a centralised communications platform for the media, public, government and global like-minded organisations;
- Maintain records of activities and actively engage with each member;
- Conduct reviews, benchmark successes and identify shortfalls in poaching interventions.
The objectives of Project Rhino KZN include:
- Increased intelligence – information and informant networks;
- Increased surveillance (with appropriate technologies, aerial and GPS chips);
- Increased field ranger competence (training);
- Increased advocacy (legal aspects);
- Increased communication sharing (central repository for information);
- Increased public awareness and education.
Participation of Wildlands in Project Rhino KZN
Wildlands’ participation in Project Rhino KZN is mainly focused on improving monitoring systems and incident response, that will allow reserve managers to know exactly where the rhino are at all times, and, more importantly, will alarm them when the rhino are in potential danger, thus curbing the response time of anti-poaching units. Recent advances in technology have produced a GPS unit that can be fitted into a rhino horn, thus allowing for real-time monitoring of rhino (the units are linked to a localised solar-powered GSM system that integrates with Global Positioning Satellites producing accurate information on the location of rhino at all times). This has the potential to be an incredibly valuable tool in combating poaching and preventing future losses. Wildlands is currently piloting this system in Somkhanda Game Reserve, with the ultimate aim of ensuring all rhino in the province are under constant GPS surveillance. Once the system has been perfected the plan is to expand the system into other reserves in KwaZulu-Natal where poaching continues unabated.
Wildlands is currently using several creative ways to raise funds for Rhino Conservation, including:
- Auction Events- An auction at Christies in London during May 2011, where 5 separate lots were auctioned, with all proceeds given to rhino conservation projects. The lots included:
- A 5-night stay for 2 people at Thanda Private Game Reserve valued at £10,000;
- An 8-night wilderness trail experience for 6 people in Imfolozi game Reserve valued at £8,000;
- A trip for 2 people to Thula Thula Game Reserve (2 nights) and then onto Franshoek (3 nights), valued at £14,000;
- A Kirsten Goss original yellow 18-carat gold three tiered ring, embellished with black, cognac and white diamonds, valued at £12,000;
- A 4-night rhino darting experience for 4-6 people at Somkhanda Game Reserve, valued at £12,000.
- Rhino Trek – In partnership with ‘Save the Rhino International’, Wildlands hosted the first Rhino Trek through several Big 5 Game Reserves in northern KwaZulu-Natal in August 2010, where people paid to experience the tracking of rhino. The proceeds from the first Rhino Trek went towards the rhino security activities on the Game Reserves, through which the trek traversed. The next Rhino Trek will be held in May 2012, again in partnership with ‘Save the Rhino International’.
- Darting Experiences – Wildlands arranges activities for people to pay for the “once in a lifetime” experience of participating in a Rhino Darting operation, and being involved in the actual fitting of technologies into the rhino horn. Participants get a chance to accompany a team of veterinarians and game capture experts when they insert state of the art tracking devices in the horns of the rhino at Game Reserves. This will allow reserve management to consistently monitor the rhino through satellite tracking and respond quickly should there be potential poachers in the area, or should the rhino move into vulnerable areas within the reserve.
- Adopt-a-Rhino programme – Members of the public or corporates are now able to Adopt-a-Rhino through Wildlands’ partnership with Community and Private Game Reserves. By paying a monthly adoption fee, you will be allocated a rhino that you can name and will receive regular updates on. Your contributions are then used to support conservation activities on the reserve which your rhino inhabits, by providing security support or equipment required to better monitor the rhino.
- ‘Find the Rhino Save the Rhino’ Treasure Hunt – In partnership with the Nelson Mandela Square in Johannesburg, a “Find the Rhino Save the Rhino” treasure hunt was initiated in October 2011 whereby members of the general public shopping at NMS could participate in a treasure hunt for a rhino maquette, and stand to win a rhino darting experience at Thanda Private Game Reserve.
- Rhino Parade – this unique parade, based on the popular “cow parade” concept, involved 4 large ¾ size rhino moulds that were painted by prominent celebrities concerned about the future of our rhino, namely Freshlyground, Oscar Pistorius, Lee Swan and Nthati Moshesh. These magnificent artworks where then displayed in NMS for the period of November -December 2011 and will be seen out and about in Johannesburg during 2012 until they are required for a high profile AUCTION dinner in March.
- Donations – Donations have been received from a number of organisations and private individuals with an interest in securing the rhino populations in KwaZulu-Natal, and we would like to acknowledge their generous contributions.
Thank you
Save the Rhino International; Global Nature Fund; Ursula Merz Foundation; FA News; Riana Greenblo Communications; Sean Williams Contracts (Pty) Ltd; Chris Edwards; Ros Cryer; Highbury School; Hancock Family; Paragmed (Pty) Ltd; JoJo Tanks; Ambi-Lube (SA); Web Development Systems; Kristi Burlingame – Farrell Family Foundation; eLan Foundation; Chazèlle Keller; Miranda Keller; Simon Pitcher; Matthew Pitcher; Riaan Botes; Truman Lyles; Parker Lyles; Bill Gosling; Sandra Gosling; Wellness; Richard & Juliet Mathias; Sannie Swanepoel; Paul Neal; Manie Combrinck; Adriaan Combrinck & Associates; Jack Crutchley; Michael du Toit; Mervyn Gans; Mike and Debbie Farley; Philida Ellis; Chick & Danna Flack; Bruce & Sharon Houghting; David & Sue Cairns; Charmaine & Jos Veldman; Tinus & Ann Havinga; Graham McDonald; Joan Rout; Andre & Belinda Schoeman; Paul Walters; Neil & Wendy Wallace; Mick Winn; Mark Brown; Shawn & Enid Meaker; Pierre & Di Neethling; Guy & Grace Brazier; Graham McDonald; Dave & Barbara Huckett; Miles Johnson; Ingrid Weiserby; Roger Porter; Tony and Libby Ardington; Mick Hyatt; Andrew & Andrea Venter; Ghost Mountain Inn; Wildlife ACT.
Partners
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife
Wildlife ACT
Save the Rhino International
Christies Auction House
Kirsten Goss
Nelson Mandela Square
Thanda Private Game Reserve
Somkhanda Game Reserve
Global Nature Fund – Ursula Merz Foundation
Project Rhino KZN is working in a collaborative manner to achieve a tangible difference in Rhino conservation. With that in mind, the table below highlights the various needs of the different organisations working to reduce the devastation of our Rhino populations in South Africa.
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Establishment of R10million ACT Rhino Fund to support urgently needed anti-poaching priorities in KZNGet involved:
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 Zululand Wildlife Security Initiative |
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Why are Rhino valuable to our Environment and Economy?
- Rhino have been around for more than 50 million years and have significantly influenced the evolution of our ecological systems.
- They play a central role in the functioning of our ecosystems and removing them will have an adverse effect on various other plant and animal species.
- Rhino are an umbrella species, meaning that the strategies put in place to effectively conserve Rhino will automatically lead to the conservation of various other plants and animals.
- If we are successful in conserving Rhino, we will be conserving other priority species such as African Wild Dogs, Elephants and Cheetah.
- Together with Lion, Elephant, Buffalo and Leopard they drive our eco-tourism and safari industry, the total revenue which is calculated at R574 million.
- Reserves with Rhino attract more tourists, driving corporate investment and creating jobs in neighbouring communities.
