The Illovo Eston MTB Challenge takes place on Sunday 7 August at the Eston Farmers' Club. PHOTO: Anthony Grote (Gameplan Media)
AS this year’s Illovo Eston MTB Challenge at the Eston Farmers’ Club draws nearer, event title sponsors, Illovo Sugar and 18km race route partners, Tala Collection Private Game Reserve have reaffirmed their commitment to the protection of the region’s rhinos.
The 3 000 hectare, KZN Midlands based private reserve doesn’t have any large predators but is well stocked with a diverse range of game, the rhinos being the most popular of the reserve’s wide variety of attractions.
With the endangered species under constant threat, the sugar giant continues to the throw its weight behind the fight against the poaching of Eston’s population of the prehistoric creatures.
“The responsibility of protecting our endangered rhinos is everyone’s and Illovo believes that all corporates need to assist in some way in the conservation of our environment and animals, especially those that are under threat,” explains Illovo Sugar marketing manager, Darrell de Wet.
Sponsors of the Eston MTB Challenge, Illovo Sugar and Tala Collection Private Game Reserve continue to combine in pursuit of safeguarding the reserve’s rhinos. PHOTO: Submitted
“Tala is situated in the heart of the Eston community and this tourist attraction contributes to the overall well-being of this community. 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,” he said.
Ahead of last year’s race, Illovo confirmed their provision of funds for the darting and tagging of Tala’s rhinos with the tagging seeing each of the five rhino fitted with a hi-tech GPS system, allowing for their monitoring 24-hours a day.
“If the rhino can be monitored at all times they can be better protected,” says De Wet. “We also support Rave Rhino Protection, who provide the man power and equipment to safeguard these rhinos at all times.”
The event takes place on Sunday, 7 August and plays host to the 60km Illovo Eston Marathon, 40km aQuellé Half Marathon, 18km STIHL Tala Family Ride and 10km Omnia Kids Ride. Entries can be submitted via www.roag.co.za.
