WATCH: Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary counts down to World Rhino Day
World Rhino Day will be celebrated on September 22. The Care for Wild team is getting creative in its countdown to the day.
In the spirit of rhino month and with World Rhino Day approaching, the Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary is doing a countdown to this day – September 22.
According to the sanctuary’s Instagram page, “to spread awareness and celebrate the lives of the orphans, the Care for Wild (CFW) team is embarking on the Creative Kilometres Challenge.”
The challenge kicked-off on September 1 and the idea is to find “fun ways to travel the same distance in kilometres as the date”. It also invited the public to join in.
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“You can join in too! Take part daily or whenever you can… take the challenge! You must have something rhino related with you! Ask your friends to join you. Post your challenge photos to social media and tag @careforwild #cfwcreativekmschallenge.”
And so the challenge commenced on September 1 with Petronel Nieuwoudt and her team having a fun-filled walk around the Care for Wild property.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEoWIhEj0s-/
September 2 – completed with wheelbarrows and an unexpected guest even joined in for the walk.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEpMJWXD0QA/
September 3 – 3 kilometres with some heavy breathing here and there. Included was the introduction of one of the newest additions to the Care for Wild orphan family.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CErpnvxDyL7/
Some girl power was shown with the 4 kilometres on September 4.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEuV5NzDkhg/
September 5 was more awareness than celebration as a march was done during a full moon – also known as a poacher’s moon.
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September 6’s distance of 6 kilometres was done with some singing involved.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CEzPOk0DzBm/
September 7 – The new orphan arrival was named on this 7 kilometre day. The name Ranger was decided on in honour of the rangers who assisted in his rescue.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE2CNLrpxlR/
September 8 – broom and rake day in celebration of keeping a clean and safe environment for rhinos. Also keeping the people in mind who were on the lookout for a baby rhino in the Kruger National Park (the rhino was later found and taken to CFW).
https://www.instagram.com/p/CE4gy2WpbLM/
On September 9 the K9 Unit took up the challenge and did a 9 kilometre patrol to check the fence.
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https://www.instagram.com/p/CE7Lr5PjoXD/
All about saving lives. September 10 saw medical, healthcare and veterinary professionals rising to the challenge.
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The Lomshiyo Community Project was visited for September 11’s 11 kilometres. Nieuwoudt said she felt inspired by the youth surrounding her.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFAegUNjPeI/
September 12 saw the Care for Wild extended family joining in, supporting and celebrating rhino lives.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFENPBPD6Yw/
On 13 kilometres, a tractor got involved, showing how staff go about their day to day tasks. September 13 was definitely a Sunday fun day at the sanctuary.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFFhKQrJuyX/
On September 14, black rhino, Swazi, was taken on her daily walk to get used to the veld as part of the 14 kilometres.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFILfLppksQ/
Rhino ambassador, Matt Meyer, joined in on September 15 and told of his efforts to save rhinos. He handled the 15 kilometres with ease.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKkL_QJjpX/
Another rhino conservation ambassador, Kevin Pietersen, accepted the challenge on September 16 and did 16 kilometres on his bike all the way in Dubai.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFL2-4kDYmy/
September 17’s 17 kilometres were done by the anti-poaching unit. It was a mixture of marching, running and fitness. Physical fitness plays an important role in the fight against rhino poaching.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFPOdIsJ37x/
That leaves four days to go as the Care for Wild team counts down to World Rhino Day on September 22.
