Support Mounted Rangers Fighting Rhino Poaching

Dear friends and supporters,

Protecting Wildlife on the Frontline
Your support continues to make a direct difference in protecting wildlife across KwaZulu-Natal. Through Project Rhino and our conservation partners, dedicated teams are working around the clock to combat poaching and respond to threats across multiple reserves. Our K9 Unit alone has completed over 1,600 training hours this year, patrolled thousands of kilometres on foot and by vehicle, and helped apprehend poachers and other criminals while removing illegal weapons from circulation. Teams continue to conduct emergency response operations, remove snares, assist with roadblocks, and provide conservation awareness demonstrations within surrounding communities.

Eyes in the Sky: Aerial Support Saving Wildlife
Aerial surveillance remains a critical conservation tool in helping teams cover vast landscapes and rapidly respond to incidents. Over the three-year period from 2023–2025, our aerial patrol support programme (ZAP-Wing) completed 1,464 patrol hours, helping locate 16 poached rhinos and enabling emergency intervention where possible. Encouragingly, two injured rhinos were successfully treated, while four orphaned calves were rescued and relocated to safety. Rapid aerial support improves situational awareness and strengthens our ability to protect wildlife before threats escalate.

Building the Next Generation of Conservation Champions
Conservation is not only about protecting wildlife today - it is also about investing in future generations. Through our Rhino Art and community outreach programmes, over the three-year period from 2023–2025, we reached 43,938 learners through environmental education initiatives and received more than 21,000 rhino art entries. A further 1,180 young people participated in wildlife camps, creating opportunities for hands-on learning and fostering a stronger connection with nature. Support also extended to early childhood development, with assistance provided to 11 crèches and the construction of one new facility.

The Work Continues Because of You
While there are encouraging signs of progress, conservation remains a long-term effort requiring continued commitment. Wildlife crime, habitat pressures, and the need for community support remain ongoing challenges. Every patrol, emergency response, educational activity, and rescue effort is made possible through donor support. Thank you for standing with us and helping protect South Africa’s wildlife and the communities that share these landscapes. 

Dear friends and supporters,

Thanks to your continued generosity, Project Rhino remains a strong and coordinated response to wildlife crime across KwaZulu-Natal and beyond. South Africa continues to face intense pressure from rhino poaching, yet through the daily commitment of rangers - on foot, by vehicle, from the air, and on horseback - several key reserves remained protected during this period. These men and women stand on the frontline every day, often in difficult and dangerous conditions, and stability in the field reflects the strength of their presence, training, and determination.

On the ground, our rangers are supported by highly skilled K9 teams and mounted patrols that allow for deeper, quieter, and more effective coverage of vast landscapes. Together, these teams have patrolled thousands of kilometres, conducted fence inspections, removed snares, supported arrests, and responded to poaching threats and human–wildlife conflict incidents. Mounted rangers, in particular, play a vital role in accessing remote terrain, enhancing visibility, and strengthening the connection between conservation teams and surrounding communities.

From the air, the Zululand Anti-Poaching Airwing (ZAP-Wing) continues to provide essential surveillance and rapid-response capability, guiding rangers on the ground and supporting time-critical interventions. Over the past three years, aerial patrols have assisted in protecting vulnerable rhino populations, rescuing wildlife, and responding to emergencies. The recent addition of a new aircraft has further strengthened this integrated approach, ensuring that rangers - whether on foot, horseback, or vehicle - are never working in isolation.

Looking ahead, Project Rhino remains focused on equipping, training, and supporting rangers so they can continue this demanding work safely and effectively. Sustained funding ensures patrols continue, equipment is maintained, horses and dogs are cared for, and teams remain ready to respond wherever threats arise. We are also preparing for key fundraising events that help keep this work going - including the Oceans 8 Charity Swim, Run for Rangers 2026, and the Masked Ball for Conservation.

From all of us - rangers, handlers, pilots, and our four-legged teammates - thank you. Your support fuels every patrol, every flight, and every life protected. Together, we are keeping hope alive for rhinos and the people who stand guard over them.