Save Mankwe's Rhinos!
Donation protected
Rhino populations are under severe crisis with an estimated 20,000 white and 5,000 black rhino remaining; making them within reaching distance of an irreversible ‘tipping point’. Three-quarters of the worlds rhino population is housed within South Africa (Earthwatch, 2017). During 2008 CITES employed a ban on the international trade of rhino horn; prior to this rhino poaching events were classified as low with ~13 killed per year. Following the ban, the number of poached rhinos has increased by 9,000%, which directly correlates to the soaring value of rhino horn on the black market (Save the rhino, 2017). Much of the illegal activity occurs within the Pilanesburg and Kruger national parks, which are government run. Therefore, it falls upon the shoulders of private reserve owners to save the species.
The theory of rhino horn holding medicinal properties dates back centuries before Christianity, yet lacks any scientific evidence; horn is composed of keratin the same protein as fingernails. Due to the nature and length of this belief, it is impossible to re-educate humanity in the timeframe needed to save the rhinos.
To save these beautiful creatures we must employ education internationally as well as help private reserves with funding.
The Mankwe Wildlife Reserve team work 24/7, investing huge amounts of money into the protection of the species. Anti-poaching squads conduct patrols, equipment, vehicles, guard dogs to list a few all amount to a significant cost. A protection strategy employed by many of these reserves is the dehorning process. To conduct this critical procedure they must hire a helicopter and pilot/crew, a vet, rangers and then the accompanying equipment. However, the cost doesn’t stop once the rhino has been dehorned… the horn must be stored at a facility of intensely high security. This is a huge pressure for the reserves, so much so that many have closed due to the lack of money, gruelling work required and emotional distress of seeing their animals hacked to pieces.
An example of the huge cost to protect these rhino:
John Hume, the largest private rhino keeper in South Africa, has to spend within the region of $170,000 per month on security for the rhinos he keeps (Save the rhino, 2017).
Mankwe Wildlife Reserve holds a special place in our hearts, their dedication is paramount. After spending just 10 days there It was evident that these guys need our support, their passion and commitment to be the voice of the voiceless is inspiring. They are a family run reserve, working their fingers to the bone to protect the species. Following a poaching incident themselves in 2014 they have exhausted their resources and finances to maintain the security of the reserve. However, they cannot continue indefinitely without support.
On the 10th October 2014 at dawn, Lynne Mactavish, daughter of chief warden Dougal Mactavish, conducted the morning anti-poaching patrol where she discovered one of her beloved rhinos ‘Cheeky Cow’ butchered for her horn. It was then identified that Cheeky Cow’s companion Winnie was missing. At this point, Winnie was 18 months pregnant, therefore carrying a full-term calf; in fact, Winnie was due to give birth some time that week. Not only did poachers’ take the lives of these animals, they took future generations of rhino along with them. Mankwe faced the decision they had been avoiding, they had to dehorn the rhino or poachers would come back for the others. Unfortunately, during this procedure the reserve lost its eldest bull rhino- Patrol aged 32. Many calves are left as orphans, struggling to survive after witnessing their mothers killed in front of them. A cow and her calf always sleep touching and stay with their mothers for years, many orphaned rhinos don’t make it; this was the case for Cheeky cow’s calf Charlie. This made the total rhino Mankwe lost as 5. Many reserves have bowed down defeated after poaching events, not Mankwe, they vowed to be the voice, to tell the story of the rhinos and help educate us all.
After hearing Mankwe’s story we couldn’t leave and not support the amazing work these people do day in day out. So, we ask you to please help us raise funds for the Mankwe wildlife reserve, any donations made will contribute to the security and safety of the rhinos.
Please ask us questions and let us explain about legalising the trade of rhino horn.
HELP US SAVE THE RHINO!
The theory of rhino horn holding medicinal properties dates back centuries before Christianity, yet lacks any scientific evidence; horn is composed of keratin the same protein as fingernails. Due to the nature and length of this belief, it is impossible to re-educate humanity in the timeframe needed to save the rhinos.
To save these beautiful creatures we must employ education internationally as well as help private reserves with funding.
The Mankwe Wildlife Reserve team work 24/7, investing huge amounts of money into the protection of the species. Anti-poaching squads conduct patrols, equipment, vehicles, guard dogs to list a few all amount to a significant cost. A protection strategy employed by many of these reserves is the dehorning process. To conduct this critical procedure they must hire a helicopter and pilot/crew, a vet, rangers and then the accompanying equipment. However, the cost doesn’t stop once the rhino has been dehorned… the horn must be stored at a facility of intensely high security. This is a huge pressure for the reserves, so much so that many have closed due to the lack of money, gruelling work required and emotional distress of seeing their animals hacked to pieces.
An example of the huge cost to protect these rhino:
John Hume, the largest private rhino keeper in South Africa, has to spend within the region of $170,000 per month on security for the rhinos he keeps (Save the rhino, 2017).
Mankwe Wildlife Reserve holds a special place in our hearts, their dedication is paramount. After spending just 10 days there It was evident that these guys need our support, their passion and commitment to be the voice of the voiceless is inspiring. They are a family run reserve, working their fingers to the bone to protect the species. Following a poaching incident themselves in 2014 they have exhausted their resources and finances to maintain the security of the reserve. However, they cannot continue indefinitely without support.
On the 10th October 2014 at dawn, Lynne Mactavish, daughter of chief warden Dougal Mactavish, conducted the morning anti-poaching patrol where she discovered one of her beloved rhinos ‘Cheeky Cow’ butchered for her horn. It was then identified that Cheeky Cow’s companion Winnie was missing. At this point, Winnie was 18 months pregnant, therefore carrying a full-term calf; in fact, Winnie was due to give birth some time that week. Not only did poachers’ take the lives of these animals, they took future generations of rhino along with them. Mankwe faced the decision they had been avoiding, they had to dehorn the rhino or poachers would come back for the others. Unfortunately, during this procedure the reserve lost its eldest bull rhino- Patrol aged 32. Many calves are left as orphans, struggling to survive after witnessing their mothers killed in front of them. A cow and her calf always sleep touching and stay with their mothers for years, many orphaned rhinos don’t make it; this was the case for Cheeky cow’s calf Charlie. This made the total rhino Mankwe lost as 5. Many reserves have bowed down defeated after poaching events, not Mankwe, they vowed to be the voice, to tell the story of the rhinos and help educate us all.
After hearing Mankwe’s story we couldn’t leave and not support the amazing work these people do day in day out. So, we ask you to please help us raise funds for the Mankwe wildlife reserve, any donations made will contribute to the security and safety of the rhinos.
Please ask us questions and let us explain about legalising the trade of rhino horn.
HELP US SAVE THE RHINO!
Organiser and beneficiary
Kimberley Grace
Organiser
Bioveterinary Society
Beneficiary
