Support Mounted Rangers Fighting Rhino Poaching

We would like to extend a sincere thank you to all our generous donors and supporters who help us keep our teams on the ground. It would never be possible without your ongoing motivation and support.

The following is a brief update on what Project Rhino has accomplished over the past year in the ongoing fight against wildlife crime.

• From 01 January to September 30, 2023, our K9 team has been relentless in their efforts, removing 1412 snares on patrols, responding to 57 emergency call-outs, apprehending 5 criminals, assisting in the arrest of 10 illegal immigrants, and recovering various weapons, including an illegal firearm (.375), fourteen .375 rounds of ammunition, 4 knives, and a carpenter saw.
• Additionally, they retrieved stolen goods from two incidents and reclaimed poached rhino horns from two vehicles.
• Since July 2023, we’ve started documenting the animal carcasses we find during patrols, discovering 7 carcasses in three months (July, August, and September).
• Simultaneously, the Zululand Anti-Poaching Wing (ZAP-Wing) has logged a total of 475 hours, including 21 call-outs for reactions and 141 routine patrol flights. Operations uncovered one poached rhino and identified three vulture poisoning sites.
• The ZAP-Wing played a pivotal role in responding to dog poachers in a member reserve. Noteworthy is the contribution to rhino dehorning and collaring projects, significantly reducing helicopter time and ultimately lowering operational costs.

Rhino Poaching Statistics:

Devastatingly, KwaZulu-Natal continues to be a target for poachers. As of December 5th, a staggering 295 rhinos had been poached in the province’s reserves in 2023, with 29 rhinos falling victim in just 40 days. This marks a 20.9% increase from 2022 and a 189.2% surge from 2021.

Upcoming Events:

Fundraising and awareness continues to be a major focus for Project Rhino and we have a number of exciting events lined up in the next few months.

• We are pleased to be hosting our very first, “Masked Ball for Conservation,” on 24 February. It promises to be an unforgettable evening, filled with dancing, live music and performances and renowned guest speakers.
• We are also privileged to have former Olympic Bronze Medallist and three-time Olympic athlete, Bridgitte Hartley, alongside Hilary Bruss, taking on the Dusi Canoe Marathon in February in support of Project Rhino. The three-day event is one of the most popular canoeing events in Africa, covering a punishing +- 120km.

Please follow Project Rhino on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for updates on these projects and campaigns. Thank you once again for your ongoing support in protecting rhinos and combating poaching. Together, we can make a lasting impact on conservation efforts.