A WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD "SAVING OUR RHINOS" - PROTECT OUR WILDLIFE FROM CRIMINALS

Through the natural stages of evolution there are three Key Initial Herbivores essential to Nature's balance within the Grasslands and Forests, these are the Buffalo, the Elephant and the Rhinoceros. Their existence and Protection as part of the Bio-Diversity within State Reserves, Private Game Parks and linked habitat is of paramount importance. These mammals of significant size create the SPACES for herds of Zebra, Wildebeest, and Impala to follow. The Elephant's strength enables collapse of a sturdy Acacia or Commiphora Tree. Whether in the forest or less dense habitat new grasslands may appear, or a coppice of new saplings such as Halleria lucida and Apodytes dimidata flourish.

The Black Rhino which is now endangered, enjoys bushland and forest margin browsing, while the White Rhino with its broad lip (Wide in Afrikaans!) finds territory in the Veld grasslands. The mammoth size, tough leathery skin and amazing Horn for display and attracting the female place the Rhinos high on the list for tourists and local holiday makers. How many Rhinos today? Record on your check list!

It is an extremely sad reflection on society that these magnificent mammals are now under threat of Extinction due to Poaching. To the rescue - "Project Rhino" which was launched on World Rhino Day, 22^nd September 2011. This is a Provincial Association that brings together the Government Conservation initiatives, together with all levels of Community or privately owned Reserves and leading NGOs

The Statistics illustrate this mission is critical with 1398 Rhino slaughtered between 2021 to 2023, with KwaZulu Natal bearing the highest death toll with the loss of 671 Rhino. By comparison only 36 Prosecution cases were brought to Court with 35 resulting in prosecution and 45 convictions..

Once again a HOLISTIC APPROACH has been established but not without on-going expertise, Community based co-operation, proven "methodology" and donations to off-set the staggering infrastructure costs. Here thanks and appreciation are due to Warrant Buffet and a now long list of Donors and regular "Supporters". A Cyclist group from Hillcrest took on a R10.000 bet for "Save the Rhino". Hillcrest to Hluhluwe before the Gates Close - well done those guys! Now let young and old, rural and urban dwellers, join through "Awareness" and Education. The Rhino Projects include dogs with their handlers, Horse patrols, regular Helicopter surveillance and many patrollers on foot. The Surveillance strategies are gradually paying dividends. Simultaneously, the on-going Capture and De-horning of the Rhino requires expertise, and dedication, together with professional Team-work. One operation may need up to twenty or thirty trained staff with their Supervisor, Transport, equipment

and a qualified Vetinarian to ensure medical professionality . The capture is humane with an eye band to reduce trauma, injections for sedation and permit the horn removal without pain or discomfort. A similar approach occurs when the Cattle farmer with his Vet inserts the ring in the Bulls nose for the first time, and then an Ear Tag!

Without the Horn the Rhino should not attract the Poachers as he has LOST HIS FUSION OF SPIKED HAIRS - the same composition as our finger nails and hair - KERATINE! Further, this DOES NOT CARRY the hormonal ingredient for prolonged sexual engagement as pharmacologists have identified!

Other Local Teams of Poachers with dogs are now common amongst the Farmlands, setting snares, and capturing anything from guinea fowl to Duiker. This is, of course, "Trespassing", and once again a

"Crime against our Wildlife". In the past, the people of Africa have not been known to Kill their Own Rhino for its horn, but the external pressures with High financial rewards and demand from the Eastern market appear to reveal yet another sphere of corruption - "Criminal killing of our Rhinos" for their Horns.

We need to Welcome our Tourists without trace of a Rhino butchered for its horn. Ultimately, achieving Preservation and Conservation of the Black and White Rhinos in their Natural niche to fulfill Bio-Diversity is paramount.

Acknowledgements : "The Pyramids of Life" by John Reader & Harvey Croze "Project Rhino" - Annual Report 2023.