The Black Rhino is listed as critically endangered and the white are threatened. There is an incorrect belief that the horn of a rhino will cure a number of illnesses, trading for status symbol is a much greater issue. Regardless horns are sold at a very high price, making the illegal trade highly attractive to poachers. These poachers will stop at nothing and easily kill hundreds of rhino's just to get the horn and sell on then illegal trade market. We need to act NOW.
Rhino poaching is a devastating problem across both the public and private sectors. Everyday at least three rhino are poached in South Africa predominately due to lack of resources and intelligence. We are fighting a war with criminal masterminds who are forever 2 steps ahead of the protectors on the ground. The financial incentive to rhino poachers combined with very high unemployment figures in rural communities, mean that poachers will force entry into these reserves to get a shot at a Rhino.
This project has multiple elements to it; 1. Emergency Response to poacher alerts from rhino GPS trackers 2. Fence patrols with canine units 3. Community Outreach - engaging children to be ambassadors for us in the community, using local teachers to help them embrace the heritage of their surrounding wildlife
We have already seen a huge success in this project with a decline in successful attacks but the attempts are still happening. We hope to provide awareness and education to eliminate this illegal trade and ensure the rhinos do not become extinct. Horn trimming reduces the success and profitability of poaching which in turn allows populations to grow to healthy sizes.
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