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.
Tess Barker attended the Project Rhino Auction to raise money for this very needy cause. Below is a picture of Tess next to Oscar Pistorius’s decorated rhino which was auctioned off during the Wildlands Conservation Trust charity dinner on the 15th of March to raise awareness and money to fight rhino poaching in South Africa. Barker Insurance Brokers made a donation to this worthy cause.
Click here to read more on Project Rhino KZN and Wildlands Conservation Trust.