Seven year-old helps save Rhino

MBOMBELA – SANParks Rhino Champion, Alyssa Carter is a normal seven-year-old and she is also last year’s winner of the Corporate Contribution to Conservation Award (Individual), SANParks Kudu awards. What sets Alyssa apart is she is doing what not many other seven year olds have the inclination to do – try and save a rhino.

Her idea came about after her school class learnt about endangered animals and her teacher explained how rhinos were being killed. Her emotional response was so strong that she immediately wanted to do something to help save the rhinos, her favourite animal.

With the help of her parents Alyssa started making and selling chocolates last year in May . The chocolates, selling for R10 each, have a hand-drawn picture of a rhino created by Alyssa. The money she collects goes to support the SANParks Honorary Rangers in their fight to save the rhino.

To date Alyssa has raised over R17 000 and her dream is to raise enough money to help buy a trained sniffer dog for the Kruger National Park, as well as the necessary supplies the dog will need. Although this generally costs R100 000 Alyssa is determined to raise the money as soon as possible so she can help the Kruger National Park buy a dog. She already has the name picked out.

“Her award is in recognition of her entrepreneurial spirit and acknowledging that the fight against rhino poaching requires funding. She has also been named a SANParks Rhino Champion, a first for someone so young,” says Janssen Davies, National Chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers. “What she is doing is a triumph for her generation and we are proud to have her as a supporter.”