Wild At Life Project

Rhinoceros Conservation and Rescue

Activity status: Ongoing

Area of Activity: South Africa

Tagged: conservation # rhinoceros # south africa # wildlife trafficking

At the end of October, Wild at Life e.V. was present in South Africa to kickstart our first-ever rhinoceros conservation mission. This was done together with our long-term, local partners. Collaborating with fellow NGOs strengthens our collective efforts in combating poaching, fortifying our impact and effectiveness.

A rhinoceros is a large herbivorous mammal known for its thick skin and one or more horns on its snout. There are five species: Black, White, Indian, Javan, and Sumatran.

The trafficking of animals is a serious global issue, and unfortunately, rhinos fall in the top five list of most trafficked animals. The plight of rhinos is mainly due to poaching for their horns, which are highly valued in some traditional medicine practices. Despite a lack of scientific evidence, there is a belief that rhino horns can cure various ailments, including fevers and cancers. Rhino horns are also sometimes used as status symbols or for ornamental purposes.

This has led to a significant decline in rhino populations, making them endangered. Conservation efforts, including anti-poaching measures and habitat protection, are crucial for their survival.

Rhino protection and conservation efforts can be dangerous due to various factors. Conservationists and anti-poaching patrols may encounter armed poachers, leading to confrontations. Additionally, the vast areas where rhinos live can also present challenges. Harsh terrain, unpredictable wildlife, and sometimes political instability in the regions can complicate efforts.

Despite these challenges, conservation organizations like Wild at Life e.V., work to implement effective strategies and prioritize the safety of those involved in protecting rhinos.

With the funds raised, Wild at Life e.V. was able to set up a base station and collar four out of ten rhinos with AI-tracking collars. This is the latest technology and compared to GPS collars, is lighter, cheaper, and functions over a longer period of time. The rhinos can even be tracked via our smartphones!

Collaring is of paramount importance. It

combats anti-poaching efforts by helping conservationists monitor the movement of rhinos in real-time. This information is crucial for identifying and responding to potential poaching threats, allowing for quicker intervention to protect the rhinos.
valuable data on rhino behaviour, migration patterns, and habitat use. This information helps conservationists develop effective strategies for habitat protection, management, and anti-poaching efforts.
contributes to population management by helping conservationists understand the demographics of rhino populations, including birth rates, mortality rates, and population distribution. This information is essential for making informed conservation decisions.

In our unwavering commitment to the conservation of rhinoceros populations, Wild at Life e.V. is constantly exploring innovative approaches to rescue and protect these magnificent creatures.

For instance, we are considering the potential of blood and plasma transfusions between rhinos. In the event that one rhino suffers severe injuries from poaching, the transfusion of blood or plasma from a healthy rhino could prove instrumental in its recovery. This ground-breaking initiative not only exemplifies our dedication to finding novel solutions but also underscores the interconnectedness of these remarkable animals.

Check out what happened that day in this YouTube video.

Stay tuned for our second collaring mission which will be carried out in January 2024!

Update: September 22, 2024

Join Us in Celebrating World Rhino Day

At Wild at Life e.V., we are dedicated on rhino conservation across the African continent, combining cutting-edge technology with community-driven efforts to protect one of the planet’s most iconic species. Our approach empowers local communities to take an active role in conservation, ensuring that those who live closest to these majestic animals are also their protectors. We recognize that the key to long-term success lies in engaging local populations, who are crucial allies in preserving rhino habitats and reporting poaching threats.

In the past 10 months, we have launched two vital missions and equipped 10 rhinos with state-of-the-art, AI-powered tracking devices supported by satellite poles. These devices provide real-time data on rhino movements, helping us monitor habitats, identify migration routes, and protect critical areas. This technology is essential in combating poaching, allowing us to quickly detect and respond to potential threats.

Alongside these innovations, we implement hands-on interventions, such as collecting plasma samples from rhinos to create life-saving reserves for those who survive poaching attacks. We also trim rhino horns to deter poachers, making the animals less attractive targets. Together, these efforts significantly reduce poaching incidents and improve rhino survival rates in high-risk areas.

We would be incredibly grateful for your support! By donating to our ongoing fundraiser or symbolically adopting a rhino, you can play a vital role in our conservation efforts. Thank you for making a difference!

The Plight of Rhinos

Despite ongoing conservation efforts, we are at a critical turning point for rhinos. Their populations continue to decline due to poaching, habitat loss, and weak law enforcement. Since the early 1900s, rhino numbers have plummeted from around 500,000 to approximately 27,000 today, with over 1,000 rhinos poached in South Africa alone in 2017. This crisis is fueled by demand for rhino horns in traditional medicine and the illegal wildlife trade.

Habitat loss from agricultural expansion and urbanization further threatens their survival. Rhinos need vast territories for grazing and breeding, and as their habitats shrink, their populations decrease. The situation is particularly dire for the Northern white rhino, which is functionally extinct, with only two females remaining, leading to a critical loss of genetic diversity essential for the species’ resilience.

If current laws remain lax and perpetrators of wildlife crimes go unpunished, the rhinos we’ve fought so hard to protect will disappear from the African continent. We must urgently advocate for stronger laws, harsher penalties, and more rigorous enforcement. Without immediate action, not only will we lose these magnificent creatures, but we will also diminish the biodiversity that supports our ecosystems.

We would be incredibly grateful for your support! By donating to our ongoing fundraiser or symbolically adopting a rhino, you can play a vital role in our conservation efforts. Links are provided below. Thank you for making a difference!

Update: April 29, 2024

Rhino Orphans: Victims of Poaching

Meet Dos

Rhinos face a constant threat: poaching for their horns. Behind each poached rhino lies a tragic consequence—their orphaned calves. Without their mothers, these vulnerable calves face danger and emotional distress.

📍Zambia

We would like to introduce you to Dos, our most recent rescue.

Tragically, her mother fell victim to poachers, leaving Dos orphaned at a young age.

It’s typical for rhino calves to stay with their mothers until they’re about three years old, but Dos’s life took a different path when her mother was taken from her. Helpless and unprotected little Dos would have faced certain death but luckily we found her just in time.

It is heartbreaking to see her grow up without her mother but we are making sure that she will be safe from now on.

From the moment of her rescue, we’ve been in constant communication with reserves, seeking the best possible future for this precious creature.

Update: March 17, 2024

Safeguarding Rhinos through Conservation Efforts

The poaching crisis facing rhinos, driven by the demand for their horns, is a devastating reality. Each year, hundreds fall victim to this illegal trade, with their horns sought after for perceived medicinal and ornamental purposes.

Our organization is dedicated to combating this tragedy through innovative measures. We employ AI-powered tracking devices, allowing us to monitor their movements and swiftly respond to any threats. Additionally, we collect plasma samples to create a comprehensive database, aiding in the identification and protection of individual rhinos. By leveraging technology and scientific advancements, we strive to keep these magnificent creatures safe from harm, preserving their populations for future generations to admire and cherish.

AI-Powered Tracking Devices

We use AI-powered tracking devices for rhinos to monitor their movements and behaviors for several crucial reasons. Firstly, these devices help us to understand their habitat preferences, migration patterns, and daily routines, which are vital for effective conservation strategies. By collecting data on where they roam, we can identify key areas for protection and ensure they have access to suitable habitats.

Secondly, these devices serve as a powerful tool against poaching. With real-time tracking capabilities, we can swiftly respond to any suspicious activity or threats to the rhinos’ safety. This allows law enforcement and conservation teams to intervene promptly, potentially saving lives and deterring poachers.

Moreover, the data collected from these devices provides invaluable insights into rhino health and well-being. We can monitor factors such as stress levels, activity levels, and social interactions, aiding in the early detection of illness or injury. This proactive approach to monitoring their health helps us to provide timely medical intervention when needed, ultimately contributing to their overall survival and reproductive success.

Plasma Samples

We collect plasma samples from rhinos as part of a unique and innovative approach to conservation and anti-poaching efforts. These plasma samples serve a critical purpose: they become a lifeline for rhinos who may fall victim to poaching in the future.

When a rhino is poached, its horn is brutally removed, often leaving the animal to bleed to death.

This means that the rhino whose plasma we collected becomes a blood donor for their fellow rhinos in need. When a rhino is poached and survives the ordeal, each plasma donor rhino becomes a potential savior for their kind, offering a second chance at life to those who have suffered at the hands of poachers.

Why do we Trim the Horns?

The answer lies in disrupting the illegal trade that fuels poaching. Rhino horns are highly sought-after commodities, fetching exorbitant prices on the black market. By preemptively trimming the horns under controlled, safe conditions, we remove the incentive for poachers to target these animals. Without their horns, rhinos become less attractive targets, reducing the risk to their lives.

Moreover, trimming the horns is a proactive approach to safeguarding their well-being. Poachers often resort to brutal methods, including tranquilizer overdoses or even hacking off horns while the rhinos are still alive. This barbaric practice not only causes immense suffering but also poses grave risks to the rhinos’ health and survival.

By trimming the horns safely and humanely, we eliminate the need for rhinos to endure the trauma of poaching attempts. It’s a preventative measure that aims to keep these animals safe, healthy, and thriving in their natural habitats. Additionally, the removed horns are often stockpiled or marked with indelible dye, making them worthless on the black market.

In the video below, we see the devastating effects of rhino poaching. It exposes the brutal reality of poaching and shows our organization’s efforts to fight against it. You can also see us in action deploying the tracking devices on the rhinos as well as collecting plasma samples.

This project is carried out in the following activity areas

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Rhinoceros Conservation and Rescue

Join Us in Celebrating World Rhino Day

The Plight of Rhinos

Rhino Orphans: Victims of Poaching

Meet Dos

📍Zambia

Safeguarding Rhinos through Conservation Efforts

AI-Powered Tracking Devices

Plasma Samples

Why do we Trim the Horns?

Endangered species rescue, conservation & anti-poaching

Spread the news!

Most recent news

Giving Lucky and Friends a Second Chance

Be a Hero for Lions Like Ndulu – Will You Become a Friend?

Join Us in Celebrating World Rhino Day

Update on Our Baby Buffalo

Act Now to Save Our Lions

Update on our Ziniaré Animal Sanctuary

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