Stand Against Poaching and Get a Chance to Name a Baby Rhino in Africa

(TMU) — In the early 1990s, the southern white rhino stood on the brink of extinction with less than 50 individuals remaining. And now, thanks to the combined efforts of South Africa’s government and conservationists dedicated to saving the species, the population currently stands at around 18,000.

However, there was a 15 percent decline during 2012 to 2017 due to poaching and the white rhino’s current conservation status is Near Threatened (Population increasing).

White rhinos are grazers and live in the short and long grass of African savannas, using their wide square upper lip for feeding on the grasses. They were originally named by the Dutch/Afrikaner settlers as ‘’wijd’’, describing their wide square mouth. English speaking settlers misinterpreted to name to mean ‘’white.’’ They are in fact gray—the same colour as other species of rhino.

Unfortunately, white rhino are easier targets for poachers, largely due to their open habitat, particularly in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.

White rhinos can live for 40 to 50 years. Females reach sexual maturity at around 6 years of age and males between the ages of 10 to 12. Gestation lasts around 16 months, and mothers give birth to a single calf every 2 to 3 years.

The anticipation and eventual birth of a baby is always a joyful occasion and even more so for the rhino population, considering the long wait for a baby rhino to be born and the time the mother needs to be ready to repeat the cycle.

In partnership with the Kariega Foundation, Helping Rhinos wants to celebrate the birth of the next baby rhino born at Kariega by inviting the world to enter their prize draw to Name A Baby Rhino, help a rhino in the process, and the opportunity to win a three night Safari at Kariega in the Eastern Cape, South Africa (Flights to the cvountry excluded).

The COVID-19 pandemic and the travel bans implemented by the SA government from 18 March 2020 have cut off the Kariega Foundation’s primary source of funding used to maintain our active and effective Anti-Poaching Unit (APU). Unfortunately, due to unemployment, rhino poaching is expected to increase as people become more and more desperate.

By entering the raffle you will help to raise funds to keep the rhino safe!

Simply go to Name A Baby Rhino where, for just £10 you can buy a ticket, or as many as you wish, to enter. Once you’ve made your choice of the number of entries you want, simply register your details for payment and confirm your purchase.

In addition to supporting the anti-poaching rangers on Kariega Game Reserve, the sale of tickets will also help fund other projects supported by Helping Rhinos.

We invite you and your friends to support this campaign. We would love you to win this opportunity to name and visit the next baby rhino born at Kariega, a name perhaps that has lasting sentimental value to you of a loved one. And it’s so easy to take part!

Visit Name A Baby Rhino to enter.

* Best endeavors will be made to show the winner the baby rhino they have named, but as these are wild animals we cannot guarantee any sightings.
** excludes flights

By Jade Small | Creative Commons | TheMindUnleashed.com