WORLD renowned adventurer Sibusiso Vilane has committed to continuing his fight for endangered species as he prepares for the 2018 edition of the Rhino Peak Challenge on World Rhino Day, 22 September.
Vilane’s list of achievements includes summiting Mount Everest twice, all seven of the world’s highest peaks and walking to the South Pole unassisted.
The upcoming Rhino Peak Challenge will pale in significance to his previous feats but he emphasises the importance this event, “at the moment I am not working towards anything so I am not in the best shape but I am prepared to go out there and suffer as much pain as our rhino population is at the moment. We all need to rise up to this challenge in whatever way we can to be the voice of our endangered species. Their conservation is our sole responsibility, I believe.”
ALSO READ: Rhino Peak Challenge out to break more ground
“I was running my ninth Comrades Marathon this year when an old friend, Yolan, the CEO of the Endangered Wild Life Trust reminded me about the Rhino Peak Challenge and before I knew it she had recruited me as I said I had nothing planned for those dates,” Vilane explained how his schedule finally allowed for his participation.
He added, “My adventures are done for this year, but I am starting on getting fit to break a sub 3 hours marathon by March 2019.”
Vilane, a former game ranger, has been at the forefront of conservation in South Africa keeping the conservation of all animals close to his heart.
“Not just rhino conservation but all wildlife matters to me and I believe that we have a responsibility to make sure that they are protected and conserved. I cannot stand and watch from the side-line while the rhino is being wiped off the planet. It would be a shame if that happened and I had not done anything to support initiatives which seek to protect our Rhino.”
Anyone interested in making a pledge to support any of these athletes can visit www.rhinopeakchallenge.co.za.
Do you want to receive news alerts via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname to 060 532 5535.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Berea Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts
