World Rhino Day celebrations in Namibia

Make a Difference!!  

Celebrate World Rhino Day on 22 September 2012 by making a donation to support the work of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia, and win a prize of a life time – tracking rhino’s in Namibia’s wild. 

Save the Rhino Trust Namibia will be joining others around the world in celebrating World Rhino Day on Saturday 22 September 2012.

The Namib Primary School is raffling a toy rhino for World Rhino day and much awareness has been raised amongst the children.

A grade 3 child told SRT, “I know why it’s important to collect money for the rhinos – it’s because rhinos belong to the future”!!!

SRT Trackers

For thirty years, Save the Rhino Trust’s dedicated tracking teams have been protecting the desert-adapted black rhino population in the Kunene and Erongo regions of Namibia.

On World Rhino Day, show your appreciation for their efforts by making a donation – as an individual or a business – to support the work of an organisation that has been monitoring and patrolling Namibia’s rhinos for three decades.

The World Rhino Day tradition was established in 2010 as an opportunity for people all over the world to take a stand against rhino poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.

These ancient mammals are under siege – all because of misguided beliefs about rhino horn’s alleged usefulness.

At the root of the rhino crisis is the myth that rhino horn contains curative properties. It is believed it can cure anything from a headache to cancer.

World Rhino Day 2012 will be a special day of celebration for all five species of rhino and rhino lovers around the world.  Let us work together to achieve the World Rhino Day slogan:

“5 Rhino species forever.”

The 5 rhino species are the Black and White rhinos found in Africa, the Greater one horned rhino found in India and Nepal, the Sumatran Rhino in South East Asia and the Javan rhino with only one population remaining, in Ujung Kulon National Park, Java, Indonesia.

In 2011, Namibia’s Environment Minister Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah officially launched the Save the Rhino hotline. By dialing 55555 Rhino hotline, authorities can be anonymously alerted when a rhino incident happens or a tip-off is given.

Rhino patrol with Donkeys. Photo: Dave Hamman Photography

As the Minister said at the launch:

I therefore want to make it very clear. Here, in Namibia, we have zero tolerance  for  poaching.  Those  who   are   caught  will   face   harsh penalties. I want to reiterate to our people that our rhinos are worth far more alive than dead. Take that rhino away and the golden goose is killed forever.

Have fun while saving the rhino

In Swakopmund, Save the Rhino Trust is organising some fun events to commemorate the day.

• Children will help to raise awareness by collecting donations outside selected shops in town on Saturday morning.
• Some of SRT’s trackers will also be in town (recognisable by their SRT uniforms) and people can talk to them about rhino tracking and find out more about the work SRT does.
• In the evening, a drinks and snacks event will be held with a presentation on rhino conservation by Save the Rhino Trust field staff.
• A silent auction will be held at Desert Explorers. “Local businesses have been so supportive and we have amazing lucky draw prizes and many special items to offer on a ‘silent auction’” said Sue Wagner, SRT’s Fundraising Manager.
• Sue pointed out that the silent auction has 22 items up for grab an some lucky draw pirizes.

Win an awesome, life-changing prize!

Kunene Cow and Calf. Photo: Dave Hamman Photography

One of the silent auction prizes is a two night stay for two people at Wilderness Safaris’ Desert Rhino Camp and this includes a rhino tracking experience with SRT trackers.

Anyone interested in attending the function should speak to Sue Wagner before Wednesday 19 September Phone 064-403 829 or email sue@rhino-trust.org.na

Don’t be shy: donate now: 

Save the Rhino Trust’s Banking Details