“Forewarned, forearmed; to be prepared is half the victory.” — Miguel de Cervantes

Warning signs: Disturbing developments in Namibia could be edging the country’s rhino population closer to danger.

Although Namibia has so far remained unscathed by the rhino crisis, the situation could change, if alarm bells go unheeded.

Vietnamese ‘rhino hunters’

In November 2011, a Vietnamese national was granted a permit to kill a rhino at Otjiwa Safari Lodge in Namibia.

This is disconcerting because several Vietnamese nationals have already been implicated in schemes which use South Africa’s “hunting safaris” as a front to run rhino horn to Vietnam.

The scam has been going on since at least 2003 (escalation began in 2006), with South African safari hunt operators as willing participants.

To find out more about the Vietnamese rhino hunting scam, check out:

• 2011: “Mules Hunting Rhinos? Sinister Scam Unfolds in South Africa“
• 2010: “Illegal Trade in Rhino Horn: The Vietnamese Connection“

Rhino horn trade speculation

A recent article in The Namibian claims there is a “legalized trade” movement afoot in the country, and suggested that horns be removed from rhinos and stored in “National Banks similarly to gold and diamonds and packaged in varying quantities and qualities at set prices”.

These profiteers obviously have no qualms about encouraging seriously ill people to use rhino horn, instead of seeking medical treatment. (South Africa even authorized the export of more than 100 rhinos to China for a multimillion-dollar rhino horn harvesting scheme.)

This notion of rhino horn as a “commodity” continues to fuel demand for rhino horn, thanks to speculative claims made by rhino horn suppliers in South Africa.

It was noted that Dr. Kalumbi Shangula, Namibia’s Ministry of Environment and Tourism Permanent Secretary, was skeptical about the “legalized trade” scheme.

Learn more about rhino horn suppliers:

• 2011: “Concern Grows Around Role of Rhino Horn ‘Suppliers’ in South Africa“
• 2010: “Are Insiders Intentionally Fueling the Demand for Rhino Horn?“

Chinese footprint in Africa

The Husab Uranium Project is located in Namibia and it is the world’s fourth largest uranium deposit. At the moment, it is owned by Extract Resources.

However, a market update is expected within the next 24 hours regarding the potential takeover of Extract Resources by China Guangdon Nuclear Power Corporation.

Rhino horn and ivory trade expert Dr. Tom Milliken of TRAFFIC recently told The Guardian that African wildlife is paying the price of “China’s investment drive” across the continent.

We’ve reached a point in Africa’s history where there are more Asian nationals on the continent than ever before. They have contacts with the end-use market and now they are at the source in Africa.

This is all adding up to an unprecedented assault on elephants and other wildlife.

Check out the effects of China’s increased presence in Africa:

• 2011: “Asian Demand for Ivory Leads ‘Unprecedented Assault’ on African Elephants“
• 2010: “Demand for Rhino Horn Now Dangerously Close to the Supply“
• 2009: “Kenya Fears Link Between Elephant Killings and Chinese Construction Projects“
• 2008: “How China’s taking over Africa and why the West should be very worried“

Rhinos in Namibia

Namibia is home to the world’s largest population (nearly 1,500) of the unique desert-adapted black rhino subspecies Diceros bicornis bicornis.

Black rhinos are classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 5,000 surviving worldwide.

Last year, the Western black rhino subspecies Diceros bicornis longipes and Javan rhino subspecies Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus were confirmed extinct.

Image © iStockphoto.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Syndicated via Planetsave.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

What were the most popular rhino stories of 2011? Find out here.

For the second year in a row, we’ve compiled the Top Ten Rhino Stories of the year. And while many of the stories are unpleasant, all of them must be told.

In 2011, mainstream media took more notice of the rhino crisis, but there is still much work to be done to thwart the “perfect storm” of myths, greed, and corruption.

Starting with #10 and counting down to #1, here are the Top Ten Rhino Stories of 2011:

#10. Rhino killings in South Africa linked to antique rhino horn market

The buzz about “rhinoceros horn cups” in 2011 finally put the connection between antique rhino horn and rhino killings in the spotlight, and our closer look at yet another trade loophole became a popular topic.

Read it: Disturbing Connection Between Antique Rhino Horn Activity and Rhino Killings in South Africa

#9. Zimbabwe rhino conservationist wins Goldman Prize

Zimbabwe rhino conservationist Raoul du Toit was awarded the prestigious Goldman Prize for his work in initiatives that have helped to develop and maintain Zimbabwe’s largest remaining black rhino populations.

Read it: Prestigious Environmental Prize Awarded to Zimbabwe Rhino Conservationist

#8: A positive step from the Chinese medicine community

The Register of Chinese Herbal Medicine (RCHM) in the UK issued a statement condemning the use of rhino horn in Chinese medicine.

Read it: Chinese Medicine Organization Speaks Out Against Use of Rhino Horn

#7: South African game farmer laundering rhino horn with Thai “prostitutes”

Safari operator/game farmer Marnus Steyl was named by South African media in the rhino horn trading racket involving Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai. (Steyl was unsurprisingly granted bail.)

Read it: South African Hunting Safari Operator Linked to Illegal Rhino Horn Trade and Thai Strippers

#6: Revisit the shocking events that exposed the world’s most famous (alleged) rhino horn syndicate to the world

In preparation for the “Groenewald gang” April 2011 court date, we compiled a list of the scandalous revelations that made headlines around the world. (The next court appearance is slated for April 2012.)

Read it: Court Date Approaches for South African ‘Groenewald Gang’ Rhino Horn Syndicate Suspects

#5: Antique rhinoceros horn cups create media frenzy

The “record-breaking” appraisal of Chinese antique rhinoceros horn cups created a big media hubbub.

Read it: Fuss Over Antique Rhinoceros Horn Cups Fails to Mention Loss of Life

#4: Scientific studies conclude rhino horn is worthless as a remedy

We re-introduced three scientific studies confirming that rhino horn has no medicinal value.

Read it: Busting the Rhino Horn Medicine Myth with Science

#3: China pumping millions of dollars into encouraging the use of rhino horn

Nearly a year after we began raising questions about the connections between China’s traditional medicine industry investments, research proposals about rhino horn harvesting, and live rhino imports, our suspicions were confirmed.

Read it: Suspicions Confirmed: China Investing Millions in Rhino Horn Scheme

#2: World Rhino Day 2011

From Australia to Zimbabwe, the message was loud and clear: Rhino horn is NOT medicine!

Visit the World Rhino Day 2011 page here.

#1: Vietnamese Javan rhino declared extinct

The world’s last Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus was murdered for her small horn.

Vietnam’s tiny rhino population struggled against several formidable obstacles, including the traditional medicine trade, questionable government funding decisions, and habitat loss.

If only the recommended conservation programs had been implemented and supported by the relevant authorities within Vietnam, the impact of these obstacles could have been lessened.

Read it: Gone Forever: Javan Rhino Declared Extinct in Vietnam

Special mentions

Four additional stories which were close to the Top Ten and worthy of mentioning here:

• Extinction of Western Black Rhino Confirmed
• Critically Endangered Black, Sumatran Rhino Horns Confiscated in China; Four Arrested
• Rhino Horns Seized in Hong Kong; Shipment Arrived from South Africa
• Concern Grows Around Role of South Africa’s Rhino Horn Suppliers

Criteria

The Top Ten list was compiled using a combination of the following:

• Web traffic – number of visits (overall and spikes)
• Social media engagement (Facebook®, StumbleUpon, discussion forums, etc.)
• Additional media activity (news websites, traditional media, other blogs)

Thank you for taking time to read Rhino Horn is NOT Medicine, for visiting our website at savingrhinos.org, and joining us on Facebook®.

Check out last year’s “Top Ten Rhino Stories of 2010“.

All images © Saving Rhinos LLC, except photo: © Michelle Gadd/Goldman Environmental Prize

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

“The truth is on the march and nothing will stop it.” – Emile Zola

The world’s leading conservation and environmental organizations – among others – are speaking out against the use of rhino horn as a medical treatment. Check out this list of quotes with source links and a few videos.

Rhino horn quotes

1. “Although there is no scientific proof of its medical value, rhino horn is highly prized in traditional Asian medicine, where it is ground into a fine powder or manufactured into tablets as a treatment for a variety of illnesses such as nosebleeds, strokes, convulsions, and fevers.” – WWF, African Rhino Poaching Crisis
2. “The unfounded rumour that rhino horn can cure cancer most likely sealed the fate of the last Javan rhino in Vietnam. This same problem is now threatening other rhino populations across Africa and South Asia.” – Dr. A. Christy Williams, WWF, Rhino horn demand leads to record poaching
3. “We will be leading global action to clamp down on this cruel and archaic trade, and to dispel the myths peddled to vulnerable people that drive demand for rhino products.” – UK Environment Secretary Caroline Spelmen, UK to lead international rhino horn clampdown
4. “The tragedy is that rhino horn is made of keratin, the same stuff that makes up human hair and nails. It has no medicinal value, you might as well eat your fingernails.” – Mark Jones, Executive Director, Humane Society International/UK, It is devastating to see rhinos killed for a cure that doesn’t work
5. “To all this, I say that something that works for everything usually works for nothing. I also say that something that has been used for hundreds or thousands of years does not make it right.” – Dr. Albert Lim Kok Hooi, oncologist, A horny story
6. “Apparently, based on the results of this study, rhinoceros horn can reduce fever, but only at rather high dosage levels when prescribed as a single drug.” – Ethnopharmacology of Rhinoceros Horn. I: Antipyretic Effects of Rhinoceros Horn and Other Animal Horns. In this study, fever-induced rats showed temporary lowering of temperature after being injected with an extremely high concentration of rhino horn extract, however, there was no antipyretic effect at the dosage levels comparable to what would be prescribed to a human patient. Download the study here.
7. “The Secretariat is also very conscious, however, of the need to respond to the belief that rhinoceros horn is efficacious in the treatment or prevention of cancer. It is despicable that criminals are financially exploiting sufferers, and their relatives, at a time when they will be struggling to cope with distressing and sometimes terminal medical conditions.” – CITES (CoP15 Doc. 45.1). Download it here.
8. Regarding rumors that rhino horn is a cancer treatment: “There is no evidence that rhino horn is an effective cure for cancer and this is not documented in TCM nor is it approved by the clinical research in traditional Chinese medicine.” – Lixin Huang, Statement opposing the use of rhino horn in medicines by the American College of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Council of Colleges of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine
9. “Tests also showed that rhino horn, which, like fingernails is made of agglutinated hair, has no analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmolytic nor diuretic properties, and no bactericidal effect could be found against suppuration and intestinal bacteria.” – WWF Scientific Tests Fail to Show Rhino Horn Effective as Medicine
10. “For some time I have been contemplating to publish a paper which should have a headline in giant newsprint to say that RHINO HORN IS NOT AN APHRODISIAC. There is even no evidence that rhino horn was ever regularly used for this purpose. Such a paper should be followed by another with more giant newsprint announcing that RHINO HORN IS NOT MEDICINAL. Consensus now appears to be that even if rhino horn is mildly anti-pyretic to lower fever symptoms, the benefits do not outweigh those of cheap over-the-counter medicines readily available in any pharmacy.” – Dr. Kees Rookmaaker, Rhino Resource Center Newsletter #25, November 2011

Bonus #11

This is interesting: Even the author of a recently published paper tacitly touting the benefits of China’s rhino farming scheme and legal rhino horn trade has acknowledged that scientific testing has proven rhino horn has no medicinal value (although “believers” in traditional Chinese medicine remain unconvinced).

To the believer in TCM, tests conducted by the Swiss pharmaceutical firm Hoffmann-La Roche, which concluded that rhino horn had no effect on the human body whatsoever, or those carried out by Chinese scientists in Hong Kong, who found that rhino horn did have a cooling effect on fever in laboratory rats but only when used in massive doses, have no relevance.

Download it here.

Videos

Humane Society International: “There’s no scientific proof that rhino horn cures disease.”

Dr. Raj Amin: “There is no evidence at all that any constituent of rhino horn has any medical property. Medically, it’s the same as if you were chewing your own nails.”

World Rhino Day 2011: “At the root of the rhino crisis is the myth that rhino horn contains curative properties. For that reason, World Rhino Day 2011 is highlighting efforts to debunk the myths and diminish the demand for rhino horn.”

Bonus video: “Lone Rhinoceros” (Just wanted to share one of my favorite songs by my favorite guitarist, Adrian Belew.)

Additional

Of interest: Dr. Rookmaaker (whose fantastic quote is #10) does not agree with the citing of #9 (Hoffmann-LaRoche/WWF) because the full academic reports used to document these studies cannot be located, or with Dr. Raj Amin’s video (above) because the study itself was apparently not undertaken at ZSL – not because the information itself is invalid. He simply recommends that alternative studies be cited. (In my opinion, #6 is an alternative study. I still consider #10 and Dr. Amin’s video acceptable sources, as do many others.) You can review his comments here.

Image © iStockphoto.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

“Indifference, to me, is the epitome of evil.” – Elie Wiesel

In October 2011, the Vietnamese Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) was declared extinct, and it was in July 2006 that the presumed extinction of the Western black rhino (Diceros bicornis longipes) was reported.

According to this year’s assessment from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM, Diceros bicornis longipes is now gone forever.

Lack of political will

Both extinctions were preventable.

The WWF report “Extinction of the Javan Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus)” indicated that there was a glaring lack of political will and very little, if any, accountability for the protection of this critically endangered species. (The world’s last Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus was found shot with her horn missing.)

Sadly, it is not at all surprising that the recently updated Diceros bicornis longipes page on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species^TM reads as follows:

Given the wildlife poaching taking place, lack of political will and conservation effort by Cameroon conservation authorities in the past, and increasing illegal demand for rhino horn and associated increased commercial rhino poaching in other range states, it is highly probable that this subspecies is now extinct.

Black rhinos have been classified as Critically Endangered since 1996, following an Endangered listing for at least ten years.

Between 1970 and 1993, the demand for rhino horn decimated the black rhino population from around 65,000 to fewer than 2,500.

Thanks to conservation efforts and the ban on rhino horn trade, there are now around 4,860 black rhinos, comprised of three subspecies:

• South-western black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis)
• Eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli)
• South-central black rhino (Diceros bicornis minor)

Regarding the Western black rhino (Diceros bicornis longipes), see also:

• July 6, 2006: “West African Black Rhino Feared Extinct“
• July 17, 2006: “West African black rhino may be extinct”
• “Probable extinction of the western black rhino, Diceros bicornis longipes: 2006 survey in northern Cameroon” by Isabelle Lagrot, Jean-François Lagrot, Paul Bour (Pachyderm, No. 43, July – December 2007)

Image #2 by Ludovic Hirlimann from ‘s-Gravenhage, The Netherlands (Rhino) via Wikimedia Commons

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

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See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

More rhino t-shirt designs!

Since 2007, we’ve been offering a wide selection of rhino t-shirts and other merchandise, and one of the most popular t-shirt designs has consistently been our “horny is good” t-shirt. People seem to have fun with this message.

This year – just in time for the holidays – those who enjoy the “horny” double entendre are in for a treat: We’ve just added a new online store called Horny Forever.

Horny Forever features designs that are geared towards adults. (Those of you with an eye for detail might have noticed a slightly different version of the Saving Rhinos logo – more on that later.)

Six ‘horny rhino’ designs

As of this writing, there are six designs (including the original “horny is good“), with more in this week’s pipeline.

In addition to the Horny Forever logo, there is “Big & Horny” (a white rhino) and another called “Making Baby Rhinos” that is simply an illustration of two rhinos (making a baby rhino). “Have a horny day!” is a simple twist on a classic design.

And then there’s just “HORNY” which sports a golden rhino with plum lettering.

Visit both stores:

• Horny Forever – let’s keep rhinos horny forever!
• Main store – home of the “Rhino horn is NOT medicine” t-shirts

Please note: Merchandise is available for online ordering only; international shipping is available.

Rhinos in Nepal

We contribute a portion of our t-shirt proceeds to Partnership for Rhino Conservation (PARC/Nepal) and have been doing so since 2009.

The funds help pay for printing educational materials and sponsoring public awareness events that directly impact the people living side-by-side with the greater one-horned rhino in the Chitwan National Park buffer zone. In addition, we promote PARC’s efforts on our social media platforms.

Find out more about the public awareness activities we have helped support at Update from Nepal: A Successful Year of Raising Public Awareness About Rhino Conservation.

About Saving Rhinos

Saving Rhinos LLC is mostly a self-funded endeavor, and is not a charity or nonprofit, and does not accept donations. I also work behind the scenes to provide subject matter expertise to select NGOs and verifiable media sources.

© Saving Rhinos LLC

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Four of the five rhino species all on one calendar!

The beautiful 2012 rhino calendar produced by International Rhino Keeper Association (IRKA) and the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is now ready to order.

Photos were submitted by rhino enthusiasts from around the world, and the winning twelve were selected by vote. In all, 77 participants submitted a total of 271 photos, and 4,090 votes were cast.

The calendars are being sold for US $26 each. Funds will be used to help purchase supplies for rhino protection units in Zimbabwe and South Africa:

• Digital cameras
• Tamper proof evidence bags
• PDAs
• Metal detectors
• Shoes
• GPS
• Binoculars

These supplies will help increase effective protection of rhino populations, help ensure successful prosecutions of wildlife crimes, and contribute to collection of crime evidence when rhinos are killed, specifically in selected areas of Zimbabwe and South Africa.

To purchase your calendar, please see the IRKA/IRF Calendar Fundraiser page on the IRKA website here.

Image via International Rhino Keeper Association at rhinokeeperassociation.org

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

The latest fact sheets are ready!

Our popular Rhino Species Fact Sheets are now updated and ready to download! Each rhino species has its own fact sheet.

The Rhino Species Fact Sheets were first published in 2009, updated in 2010, and have since been downloaded by people all over the world. The 2011 population figures are based on information provided at the International Rhino Keeper Association Workshop, which was held in May 2011.

Enjoy!

Download the Rhino Species Fact Sheets

• Black Rhino fact sheet
• Indian (Greater One-Horned) Rhino fact sheet
• Javan Rhino fact sheet
• Sumatran Rhino fact sheet
• White Rhino fact sheet

For additional free public awareness and learning tools, please visit the Saving Rhinos downloads page.

Image: © Saving Rhinos LLC

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Big plans in the Lone Star State!

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center will celebrate World Rhino Day by hosting an art contest for local schoolchildren, and selling the art on September 22^nd at Hollywood and Vine restaurant in Glen Rose. All proceeds from the art show and a portion of the proceeds from the dinners served on World Rhino Day will go to Fossil Rim’s rhino program!

Rhino art contest

The World Rhino Day Art Contest hosted by Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is open to students who attend Glen Rose ISD schools. Rhinos must be the most prominent part of the pictures!

There are four divisions in the art contest, determined by grade level. In each division, First, Second, and Third place will be awarded.

First prize in each division includes a one year membership to Fossil Rim for four people.

For all the details about the art contest, download the World Rhino Day Art Contest Rules and connect with Fossil Rim on Facebook®.

Find out more about World Rhino Day here.

Dinner and art sale

Submitted artwork will be on display on September 22^nd at Hollywood and Vine restaurant in Glen Rose. Contest winners will be announced at 7:30 pm.

All parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends are encouraged to come and enjoy the art exhibit and purchase your child’s picture. A special menu will be provided by Hollywood and Vine, and $1.00 from each meal purchased will be donated the rhino program at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

Connect with Hollywood and Vine on Facebook®.

About Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has been involved regionally and globally since 1987 with the conservation of white rhinoceros, and since 1991 with black rhinoceros. Seven white rhinos and five black rhino calves have been born at Fossil Rim.

Fossil Rim is a founding member of the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) and an institutional supporter of the International Rhino Keepers Association (IRKA).

Adam Eyres, Fossil Rim hoofstock supervisor, is co-author of a number of publications about rhinos and was involved with the writing of the Rhino Husbandry Manual. Additionally, he is the White Rhino SSP (Species Survival Plan) Coordinator for North America.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 wildlife conservation facility that specializes in captive-breeding programs for endangered and threatened animal species. Fossil Rim funds its award winning conservation efforts with tourism. The center manages over 50 species of wildlife including cheetah, rhinos, giraffe, wolves, zebra, and the Attwater’s Prairie Chicken. Fossil Rim offers a 9½ mile Scenic Wildlife Drive, unique Safari Camp lodging, guided tours, camps, Nature Store, and Café to visitors. For more information, call (254) 897-2960 or visit fossilrim.org.

Got questions about World Rhino Day? Check out the FAQs and connect with us on the World Rhino Day 2011 page on Facebook®.

Photo & logo courtesy & © Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.

Want to help rhinos and other wildlife in Zimbabwe?

Conservationists in Zimbabwe are fighting a hard battle on the ground with rhino horn syndicates who are well-equipped, very informed, and heavily funded through their lucrative illegal business.

Fortunately, there is a way you can help Zimbabwe’s conservation efforts.

Hands-on conservation project

The Chishakwe Volunteer Programme, a conservation project located in the vast and remote Save Valley Conservancy in the South East Lowveld of Zimbabwe, offers the opportunity to work with rhino scouts, as well as participate in other wildlife research and monitoring projects.

The activities can be quite varied. Volunteers may be doing data entry, filing camera trap photos, ground crewing on rhino ops, darting a dog, sitting in a blind at night, or using telemetry to track lion.

Chishakwe also runs a community outreach program, with an emphasis on environmental education. Community outreach volunteers could be painting a mural, designing materials, collecting and labeling specimens for the camp’s little museum or even presenting a session on a particular species.

Accommodation and meals are provided in a fully serviced, comfortable ranch style house set in a garden. There is a recreation area with a swimming pool for leisure time.

Learn more

For more information about the Chishwakwe Volunteer Programme, visit their contact page and check out the following:

• Chishakwe Volunteer Programme
• Chishakwe Facebook® page

Photos used with permission and information provided by LJ Campbell, Chishakwe, Save Valley Conservancy, Zimbabwe. Photo #1 © iStockphoto.com

Rhishja Cota-Larson

I am the founder of Saving Rhinos LLC, which publishes news and information about the global rhino crisis. I am the Editor of Rhino Horn is Not Medicine and Project Pangolin, author of the book Murder, Myths & Medicine, and a writer for the environmental news blog Planetsave. When I'm not blogging about the illegal wildlife trade, I like to rock out to live music.

Website - Twitter - Facebook - More Posts

See Rhino Horn is Not Medicine for more information.