Big walk to save the rhino in South Africa
2011-07-28
TWO brave men last week passed through Paarl, in their quest to help save the rhino. Due to the ongoing slaughter of both white and black rhinoceroses, these game ranger conservationists, Paul Jennings and Sboniso Phakathi, decided to walk almost 2000 km from Musina in the north of the country, to Cape Town in the south. This is an endeavour to raise awareness and funds for the project “Rights for Rhinos” Rhinos have long been hunted for their horns especially as these are believed to contain valuable medicinal properties. This year alone, 196 rhinos have been killed for their horns. “In South Africa, we have the largest populations of both species left in the world,” said Jennings, after he and Phakathi arrived at Goedemoed Guest House in Paarl, hosting them on their second last leg of their journey. “We largely owe this to pioneer conservationists like Dr Ian Player and Maqubu Ntombela. Through their pioneering capturing and relocating techniques, they not only managed to increase the number of Rhino in the Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park in Northern KZN, but also managed to relocate rhinos to other areas, leading to the re-establishment of both Black and White Rhinos in our country. “But today rhinos are being slaughtered almost on a daily basis. Each and every South African must stand up to protect their ecological heritage. “If we do not stand together and stop the senseless killing, our children and their children will not have rhinos left to admire, as rhino populations will fade to critically low levels and again be pushed to the point of extinction. We therefore urge you to contribute in whatever way is possible to this cause!” The aim of their tireless walk is to implement better education programs that address the issues of conservation and promote support for conservation field staff tasked with rhino protection. Contact irene@greenwallofafrica.com.
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