Wonderful conservation work to help save rhinos
We love good news and thanks to our friends at African Parks and AndBeyond (who operate conservation projects and sustainable safari camps utilised by Better Safaris) that good news is for rhinos. In a joint statement from African Parks & AndBeyond; “We are excited to share that 30 white rhinos have been successfully translocated to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, from Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa.”
“30 years ago, when our dream started, there was not a single white rhino on &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve. Now, 30 years later, we were able to take part in the largest ever rhino translocation in partnership with African Parks and Rwanda Development Board (RDB) , with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation.”
This unprecedented translocation of white rhinos from South Africa to Rwanda, aims to expand the range of rhinos within Africa and help create safe breeding areas within Rwanda – this is a massive step in maintaining and expanding the rhino population.
Why are rhinos under threat?
The poaching crisis is attributed to growing demand for rhino horn in Asia, notably Vietnam, Laos and China. Why? Traditional Chinese Medicines and as items to show nobility & wealth and Eastern myths that rhino horn can cure cancers, ailments or (if you can believe it) as a sexual stimulant. However, as a rhino’s horn is made of keratin – the same substance that makes up human hair and fingernails – it has been scientifically disproven that rhino horn can cure, treat or aid recovery from human illnesses or benefit anything else.
- Trade in rhino horns has been banned internationally since 1977, but continues to draw huge profits on the black market
- 2-3 rhinos are poached every day for their horns
Rhino poaching at the end of the day, is simply happening for no reason other than human ignorance.
STOP POACHING
What next for the rhinos
Over the next 6 weeks, these rhinos will be monitored as they acclimatise to their new environment in Rwanda. The RDB and African Parks have been partners in Akagera National Park since 2010 and thanks to their efforts, significant improvement security improvements and community programmes have helped Akagera National Park flourish as a wildlife destination once more.
Better Safaris send our deepest appreciation and praises to everyone involved in this magnificent operation, especially we send our support for the dedicated rangers and surrounding communities working to safeguard these rhinos and the wildlife of Akagera National Park.
If you would like to understand the rhino poaching crisis further, you can now watch the fascinating and hard-hitting documentary STROOP: Journey Into The Rhino Horn War from South African filmmakers Bonné de Bod & Susan Scott.
Rhino relocation photographs courtesy of African Parks, AndBeyond (Howard Cleland, Martin Meyer, Gael vande Weghe).
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Wonderful conservation work to help save rhinos from @AfricanParks @andbeyondtravel @RDBrwanda @stroop_film via @bettersafaris #conservation #stoppoaching
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Magnificent work that everyone involved does. Raising awareness of not just the cruelty to Rhinos, but all animals, is something I am passionate about.
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