AS the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge at the Eston Farmers’ Club draws near, Illovo Sugar, have partnered with Tala Collection Private Game Reserve and have reiterated their commitment to protecting the region’s rhinos.
Rhino are Tala’s biggest attraction and with the endangered species being under constant threat, the sugar company continues to back the fight against the rhino poaching in the Eston area.
Illovo Sugar marketing manager, Darrell de Wet, saids Illovo’s motivation behind partnering with Tala, was that “the Eston Illovo sugar mill is in close proximity to Tala and with Illovo being passionate about adding value to all the communities in which we operate, it made sense for us to partner with this reserve in an effort to not only support a worthy cause of protecting our rhino, but to assist the Eston community as a whole as well.”
Illovo confirmed its provision of funds for the darting and tagging of Tala’s rhinos ahead of last year’s Illovo Eston MTB Challenge. This tagging will ensure that each of Tala’s rhino will be fitted with a hi-tech GPS system which will allow for them to be monitored 24-hours a day. It is maintained that if the rhino are tagged, they can be more easily protected. A history of each rhino’s movements can also be tracked which allows for their grazing habits and group dynamics to be monitored.
The 2016 Illovo Eston MTB Challenge will take place on Sunday, 7 August, and will host the 60km Illovo Eston Marathon, 40km aQuelle Half Marathon, 18km STIHL Tala Family Ride and 10km Omnia Kids Ride. Entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za and you can find more information at https://www.illovoestonmtb.co,za
