UPDATE: Gareth Putter ascends 16m high scaffolding tower for the Rhino

PAULSHOF – Gareth Putter has ascended the Rhino Tower for a full calendar month in support of five non-profit organisations who aim to stop rhino poaching.

May 4, 2019

Robyn Kirk 2 minutes read

Carl Thornton and Drew Abrahamson, both of Pit-Track, point to their logo on the Rhino Tower. Photo: Robyn Kirk

It’s up, up, and a month to stay.

At 5pm on 26 April, the founder and director of Rocking For Rhinos Gareth Putter ascended a 16m high scaffolding tower, recently constructed at the Montecasino Bird Gardens, where he will live without coming down for the next full calendar month. The campaign is aimed at raising R3 million for non-profit organisations that work toward ending the slaughter of rhinos by poachers.

The initiative is aimed at providing financial support for five non-profit organisations which work to end poaching and aid animals in need – the Black Mamba anti-poaching unit, Pit-Track, Flying for Rhino, the Protrack Rhino Task Team and Saving the Survivors will equally share all money raised.

“I think what Gareth is doing is great,” said Tersia Jooste of Saving the Survivors. “We’re very grateful for what he is doing and we’re so proud to support him.”

Tersia Jooste of Saving the Survivors non-profit organisation in front of one of the rhino sculptures located next to the Rhino Tower. Photo: Robyn Kirk

Saving the Survivors is a veterinary organisation that works to care for rhinos who have survived a poaching attempt.

“We work all over South Africa with poaching survivors, and also provide free emergency care for any wild animals in need,” she added. “We were founded in 2016 and have treated about 400 animals in total so far, and are caring for seven rhinos right now.”

Pit-Track, which uses dogs in their anti-poaching efforts in and around the Kruger National Park, is working on a number of projects aimed at animal and rhino conservation. These include checking exit and entry points at the park for people bringing in firearms, the establishment of a rhino orphanage and using sniffer dogs to track poachers in the area.

“I really like how the benefactors have been carefully selected,” said Carl Thornton,the founder and co-director of Pit-Track. “What Gareth is doing is a nice display of fighting extinction, which is so important because this war is not not going to be won by individuals or individual organisations.

Gareth Putter aims to raise R3 million for rhino conservation. Photo: Supplied

“He is taking a global stand for rhino conservation and the support he creates will go directly to the feet on the ground.”

Thornton added that all funds that Pit-Track received from the Putter’s campaign would go to its canine conservation and anti-poaching units.

Members of the public can get involved in the fundraising efforts in a number of ways: Corporate sponsors are invited to spend an ‘hour up the tower’ for a fee of R10 000, the general public will be able to ascend the tower to the four-meter platform at a donation of R20 per child and R150 per adult and any member of the public can also ascend the tower to meet Putter for a fee of R5 000.