Help Me Protect Rhinos & Elephants
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Sanibonani! Allow me to share with you an update on my recent work in conservation, and how you can help support this endeavor of protecting endangered wildlife.
The Plight of African Rhinoceros & Elephant
In South Africa alone, over 1,000 black and white rhinoceros are brutally slaughtered for their horns annually. Although this has declined somewhat over the past two years, recent budget cuts could cause this number to rise again as conservation authorities struggle to defend these iconic animals.
Equally as worrying is the migration of elephant poaching into South Africa. The world-famous Kruger National Park has seen a marked increase in poaching in recent months and there is little reason to believe this trend will reverse.
Sometimes it may be difficult to connect with an animal who calls home a continent thousands of miles away, but the importance of protecting these creatures is best articulated below:
"There is one last reason for caring, and I believe that no other is necessary. It is certainly the reason why so many people have devoted their lives to protecting the likes of rhinos, parakeets, kakapos, and dolphins. And it is simply this: the world would be a poorer, darker, lonelier place without them.”
― Mark Carwardine, Last Chance to See
My Story:
I recently made the decision to leave a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and embark on a volunteer project monitoring endangered wildlife in Southern Africa. As it turns out, I've developed a bit of an aptitude for it. I have been invited to join Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (the provincial conservation authority for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) as an Honorary Officer tasked with monitoring rhinoceros & elephant populations in the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is an absolute honor and privilege, however due to unprecedented budget cuts and staffing shortfalls, I am required to seek private funding for my project.
Use of the Funds:
I am using GoFundMe to raise the money necessary for me to accept this invitation, as well as offer the important people in my life an opportunity to support these efforts and the critically endangered megafauna of Africa. The funds will be used to purchase monitoring equipment, fuel, insurance, and incidentals. I will track all expenses judiciously, and any excess funds and all equipment shall remain with the project to ensure its continuation following my departure. All contributions are greatly appreciated, and if you donate $25 or more, you can expect a token of gratitude (see rewards) from the wildlife you are helping to conserve.
Ngiyabonga kakhulu,
Tony
The Plight of African Rhinoceros & Elephant
In South Africa alone, over 1,000 black and white rhinoceros are brutally slaughtered for their horns annually. Although this has declined somewhat over the past two years, recent budget cuts could cause this number to rise again as conservation authorities struggle to defend these iconic animals.
Equally as worrying is the migration of elephant poaching into South Africa. The world-famous Kruger National Park has seen a marked increase in poaching in recent months and there is little reason to believe this trend will reverse.
Sometimes it may be difficult to connect with an animal who calls home a continent thousands of miles away, but the importance of protecting these creatures is best articulated below:
"There is one last reason for caring, and I believe that no other is necessary. It is certainly the reason why so many people have devoted their lives to protecting the likes of rhinos, parakeets, kakapos, and dolphins. And it is simply this: the world would be a poorer, darker, lonelier place without them.”
― Mark Carwardine, Last Chance to See
My Story:
I recently made the decision to leave a career in the biopharmaceutical industry and embark on a volunteer project monitoring endangered wildlife in Southern Africa. As it turns out, I've developed a bit of an aptitude for it. I have been invited to join Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (the provincial conservation authority for KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa) as an Honorary Officer tasked with monitoring rhinoceros & elephant populations in the Western Shores of the iSimangaliso UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This is an absolute honor and privilege, however due to unprecedented budget cuts and staffing shortfalls, I am required to seek private funding for my project.
Use of the Funds:
I am using GoFundMe to raise the money necessary for me to accept this invitation, as well as offer the important people in my life an opportunity to support these efforts and the critically endangered megafauna of Africa. The funds will be used to purchase monitoring equipment, fuel, insurance, and incidentals. I will track all expenses judiciously, and any excess funds and all equipment shall remain with the project to ensure its continuation following my departure. All contributions are greatly appreciated, and if you donate $25 or more, you can expect a token of gratitude (see rewards) from the wildlife you are helping to conserve.
Ngiyabonga kakhulu,
Tony
Organizer
Tony Hewitt
Organizer
Manhattan Beach, CA
