The Rhino is Losing its Battle
We’re losing five lions a day, four or five elephants an hour, and a rhino every seven and a half hours.
Current predictions suggest the Black Rhino will go extinct in the wild within 20 years if the current poaching rate continues.
The outlook is bleak. While you might think by now more laws are surely in place and poaching has likely lessened, in fact it is the opposite. According to WESSA, the numbers are shocking. Rhino deaths by poaching have tripled in the last five years in South Africa alone (1020 losses have been recorded for 2014, there were only 12 recorded in 2004).
Having just visited Tanzania myself and getting a rare glimpse of these gentle giants (as vegetarians, they exclusively consume grass and plants), makes me even more sad.
What’s Going On?
The Rhino is killed for its horn, which by some Asian cultures is said to have curative powers. Most recently, a sharp surge in the demand for rhino horn in Vietnam has been attributed to rumors that the horn cures cancer, even though this has no factual basis in science.
The street value for rhino horn is said to have an inflated rate of up to $65,000 a kilogram (2.2 pounds) so poachers are a whole different breed today, with financial support for technology and cash to bribe officials, rangers, and police.
We often hear stats like this and think, “it’s a shame, but what can I do?” and then go about our day. Here is something you can do.
PLEASE HELP the Rhino Defeat Extinction NOW
We need your help!
Travelers Building Change and Green Travel Media have partnered to raise money for a project called Rhinos Without Borders. The RWB project is being spearheaded by Great Plains Foundation founders Dereck and Beverly Joubert—National Geographic Explorers In Residence, acclaimed wildlife photographers/filmmakers, and conservation advocates famous for their work in saving Africa’s Big Cats.
Rhinos Without Borders is focused on saving Rhinos, by translocating 100 from South Africa to Botswana to protect them from the tragic rise in poaching. One hundred percent of the proceeds raised will be used to fund the rhino relocation process.
Why Botswana?
Botswana has one of the most robust anti-poaching efforts in Africa,” Dereck Joubert told Bret Love of Green Global Travel. “Well trained, experienced, and they’ve been doing this for the last 14 or 15 years, if not more. It’s the extension of the Botswana Defense Force—well funded and armed.”
Also going for it, Botswana has more remote areas, harder to reach by poachers and one of the lowest corruption rates in Africa.
Plus, trophy hunting of lions, leopards, and now rhinos was recently banned in Botswana. Many may not realize that South Africa still allows trophy hunting of Rhinos.
Watch here are the Jouberts explain their Rhino mission:
How you can help (and possibly WIN big prizes):
(This donation drive has ended)
There are over $30,000 worth of prizes (see below), including tours/hotels stays in 11 different countries on five different continents (North America, South America, Europe, Africa and Asia).
By donating you will receive “tickets” (the more you donate, the more chances you get) and get to choose your top 3 prizes that you hope to win. Prizes will be drawn randomly.
Grand Prizes:
International Expeditions
10-day Galapagos Voyage for one. Value $5,298
Adventure Life
South Africa Big Five Safari: Kruger & KwaZulu-Natal + Swag Bag for 2 people. Value $5000
Cobblers Cove Hotel, Barbados
Seven nights bed and breakfast in a Garden View suite. Value $5,187
Yemaya Island Hideaway & Spa, Nicaragua
10 nights’ stay & wellness package for two people at Yemaya Island Hideaway and Spa on Little Corn Island, Nicaragua. Value $5,241
Secret Retreats
- Vouchers for 2 people at Bali Jiwa Villain in Bali, Indonesia. Value $1,000
- (2) Vouchers for 2 people at The Scent Hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand. Total Value $3000 ($1,500 for each 2-person package)
- Vouchers for 2 people at 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Koh Kong, Cambodia. Value $900
- Vouchers for 2 people at Flower Island, Palawan, Philippines Value $900
OTHER PRIZES
- eBag Luggage
- WeWOOD Watches
- Dinner/Brunch Cruises
- 2 nights in an Italian Villa
- 2 Tours in India
- ExOfficio Gift Certificate
- 2 nights Renaissance Asheville
- Travel Blog Success Lifetime Membership
- African Elephant Photo Pack
- HDR Timelapse Video Camera w/Lens
- Blogger Mentorship Package from Green Global Travel
Be sure to follow the hashtag #JustOneRhino on Twitter.
Please share this article to spread awareness about this vital project.
Mary @ Green Global Travel
Great article, Lisa! We’re so excited to be part of the Rhinos Without Borders campaign 🙂
Lisa
Thanks Mary. You and Brett are doing great things. Happy to be a small part of it.