Rhino Conservation

Help us help rhinos

More than 75% of all the world's rhino today are found in South Africa. WWF urges all South Africans to be proud of our rhinos - our natural heritage.

Rhinos have ranged far and wide across Africa and formed a magnificent part of our cultural and natural heritage for thousands of years. Long before becoming part of the iconic Big Five, rhinos were revered by African royalty as epitomised by the Golden Rhino buried with the King of Mapungubwe 800 years ago. South Africans are rightly proud of their rhino history and the critical role they played in the remarkable recovery of white rhino numbers over the last century. Today three out of every four rhinos alive are found in this one country.

Yet, rhino deaths from poaching continue to rise. As of 16 October 2012, 455 rhinos have been illegally killed for their horns this year. Rhino numbers continue to grow as more are born than are dying – even when poaching mortalities are taken into account. However, we are coming ever closer to the danger zone where populations start to decline.  WWF urges all South Africans to play a part in rhino protection at this pivotal point in their future.

Report threats to rhinos or any signs of suspicious behaviour on the Department of Environmental Affairs Rhino Hotline: 0800 205 005.

What does WWF do to help rhinos?

On Rhino Day 2012, WWF-SA launched its new National programme to strengthen and support rhino conservation efforts in South Africa in response to the dramatic increase in cases of rhino poaching. Conservation activities will be based around a new five-point strategic framework to combat the threats to rhinos.

The five key areas are:

1. Continuing the protection of key rhino populations and creating new resilient populations in South Africa through our Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP)
2. Developing buffers in local communities around rhinos as the first critical line of defence
3. Supporting and tightening proactive law enforcement efforts to break illegal trade chains
4. Improving co-operation between South Africa and consumer countries
5. Understanding rhino horn trade in end-user markets and influencing demand

We are working with our colleagues in Vietnam to develop tactics to shift new markets and new uses leading to increased demand for rhino horn.  During the first week of October, BRREP translocated a further thirteen black rhino from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife reserves to another property in northern KwaZulu-Natal.

Watch this space as we bring you updated news around project developments…

Black Rhino Range Expansion Project

More than a million rand was provided over the last year through WWF’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project for rhino security on important rhino reserves in KwaZulu-Natal. This money was used for body armour, back packs, webbing, radios, binoculars, pepper sprays, motorcycles, light aircraft for aerial surveillance, camera traps, telemetry and radio equipment, crime scene investigation courses, and salaries for black rhino monitors. We also paid for helicopter time for 16 veterinary interventions on black rhinos that had been snared. All but one of these rhinos survived.

Rhino conservation: How can you help?

• Raise funds or donate money. Unfortunately, rhino conservation is expensive and ongoing. Poaching is a constant reality in spite of the massive efforts on the ground by the heroes who defend our rhinos. Please help us help our rhinos.
• Report anything suspicious to your local conservation authority or contact the Department of Environmental Affairs Rhino Hotline: 0800 205 005.
• Visit game reserves. Share your love for rhinos with people who don’t yet understand their plight.