"Every debate is important because it keeps the issue alive, and right now that is critical if rhinos are to survive." Ian Player
The Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative is one of the Wilderness Foundation's advocacy and awareness programmes that was launched in May 2011 in response to the rhino poaching crisis. The initiative is concerned with maintaining populations of free ranging rhino within state and privately managed conservation areas.
The initiative supports conservation agencies and organized private game reserves in protecting their rhino as part of a functioning natural ecosystem. It also aims to focus the attention of politicians and decision-makers and encourage them to apply pressure both nationally and abroad to address the issue of illegal trade in rhino horn and other wildlife products.
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Precious the rhino is one of four rhinos to narrowly escape poachers at the Elandela Private Game Reserve earlier this year. Unfortunately, they all sustained bullet wounds which need to be treated in order to prevent infection.
To help carry the cost of each procedure, and the experts needed to perform the veterinary services, three organisations have collaborated to help care and treat the four rhino. These include Investec Rhino Lifeline, Chipembere Rhino Foundation and the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
Earlier this year, four rhinos on the Elandela Private Game Reserve narrowly escaped with their lives following attempted poaching incidents. The rhinos were, however, left with injuries and bullet wounds.
This is a ‘blow-by-blow’ account of how the collaborative response team is tracking down and treating all four rhinos. The team includes experts from Investec Rhino Lifeline, Chipembere Rhino Foundation and the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
The team has with them a specialised portable x-ray machine to help locate the bullets lodged inside the rhinos bodies.
Earlier this year, four rhinos on the Elandela Private Game Reserve narrowly escaped with their lives following attempted poaching incidents.
The rhinos were, however, left with injuries and bullet wounds. Investec Rhino Lifeline, Chipembere Rhino Foundation and the Wilderness Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative were approached to help treat and care for four injured rhinos
The collaboration helped mobilize a highly trained team of medical and anti-poaching experts to help the four rhinos. The collaboration has also allowed for the purchase of a state of the art x-ray machine to help locate bullets embedded in the rhino wounds.
