Why throw yourself out of a perfectly good aeroplane at 10 000ft for a rhino? Here’s why…

This is our heritage, let’s protect it! Stand up and say “NO”!!

“Reitz du Toit and Anire van der Walt and the African Conservation Trust’s Skydive for Rhinos team were invited to participate in a rhino darting and micro-chipping experience at Thanda Private Game Reserve in June 2012. The rhinos filmed in this video were both fitted with a foot collar and a micro-chip in their neck for tracking purposes on top of being ear-notched for physical identification. DNA samples were also taken (blood, skin and hair): these samples, as well as the micro-chips inserted into the horn, are used in investigations in the event of a poaching incident. 

This was a once in a life time experience. On the one hand, not many people have the opportunity to get so close to one of Africa’s most magnificent creatures – to touch them, feel their bodies breathing beneath your palm, hear them snort as they’re ‘chipped and sampled’ and watch their ears twitch at the muffled sounds around them. On the other, you begin to realise the hard work, time and effort that goes into protecting these animals. Darting a rhino is no easy feat and can be traumatic for the animal – but we are facing a crisis and all must be done to protect them.”

We are all aware of the crisis…yes, CRISIS, that is facing the Rhino populations of the world. It is all over the media, shocking images of dehorned rhino going viral all over the internet, billboards, wildlife organisations, television, private companies and online news channels. I could go on but I think you get the point. This is why you just have to take your hats off and pay respect to the people at ACT’s (African Conservation Trust) Project Africa and their Skydive for Rhino’s Campaign.

Having had the opportunity to work and live in the Balule Game Reserve section of the Greater Kruger National Park, it was impossible not to take the poaching to heart and feel anger, sadness and bitterness.

Shannon tracking rhinos in BaluleMy husband and I were blessed to be able to join Head Ranger, Riaan Ahlers on some early evening rhino tracking missions. You could feel the tension in the air as the quiet, almost inaudible ‘tick’..’tick’.. ticking on the speaker started to increase in tempo as the collared rhino came into range of the satellite tracking system.

It was a rich and rewarding feeling, spotting the resident bull ambling up the dry river bed as he went about his evening ritual of marking his territory and topping up his middens to advertise his presence to the ladies and warning of any potential competition.

Watching the sun setting over a ‘crash’ of Rhinos (collective name for rhinos. Very appropriate don’t you think) at a reserve in Southern Botswana. How can you not develop resentment at the brutality of the poaching? And for what? For the mistaken belief that rhino horn has medicinal properties. It’s like chewing your nails, only worse because it’s not your own.

The final breaking point for me was watching the numbers of rhino getting poached increasing daily. It is now officially out of control. In 2011, South Africa lost over 448 rhino, 95% of them White Rhino. This year, the rate at which they are being poached is far higher – approximately one rhino is being lost every 14 hours.

Currently +/- 365 rhino have been poached in 2012 alone! Those are just the ones that have been found!

Being exposed to images on social media and news sites in August 2011 of a rhino bull at Aquila Reserve in the Western Cape called ABSA, fighting to survive after being dehorned and then losing the battle, was where we realised that we could, as a company do more than just get angry. We could take action.

Aquila’s Rhino ABSA, heartbreakingly fights for survival – not for sensitive viewers

We had the opportunity to do our part to raise funds and awareness for the African Conservation Trust and Project Africa’s campaign, the rest is history.

Skydive for RhinosConservation has always been close to my heart and being able to work for a company that is passionate about conservation and doing their part wherever possible and by whatever means available has made my taking part in this amazing campaign possible.

I am proud to be flying the flag for Nomad Africa Adventure Tours and Nomad African Trust at Robertson on 22nd September and I am eternally grateful for all their support and contributions and know that they will be looking to the skies, waiting for the sound of my screams to reverberate across the Cape as I throw myself out of the aeroplane.

If you would like to contribute towards our pledge to raise R10 000.00 towards the work of Project Africa, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Project Rhino KZN’s anti-poaching, please click on the Skydive For Rhinos picture!

This is a secure online payment system and ACT will be notified of your deposit. We will also send you a Thank you note for your contribution so please don’t forget to leave a message as well as to email us so that we can keep you up to date on the campaign. Our email address is info@nomadafricantrust.co.za.

You can also contact Micah or Sheelagh and her amazing team at Project Africa on micah@projectafrica.com

Or visit their website to learn more about the campaign, the crisis, the people, the passion and what you can do.

http://www.projectafrica.com and http://www.skydive4rhinos.org/Home/Welcome.aspx#

Like their facebook page and stay up to date with the events and see great pics and videos of the jumping, past and present.

Some pictures from World Rhino Day

And in closing I quote a message from the Youtube link of the anti-poaching efforts at Thanda.

“Only united will we be able to stop the scourge of poaching in South Africa. Are you willing to unite?”