Wildlife warrior to tackle Everest
Local conservationist to climb to Everest base camp to raise funds for the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rehabilitation Rhino Centre.
AFTER raising R16 000 for Monkey Helpline by walking 6km along the Durban promenade with a diving suit from the 1900s, which weighed 70kg, in scorching temperatures, Durban North resident, Steven Entwistle, has set about on his new adventure. The wildlife warrior and former Royal Navy mine clearance diver will be climbing to Everest Camp, the long way round, to raise funds for the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rehabilitation Centre and Rhino Orphanage.
His climb, entitled Climbing4rhino, takes place in September. The 39-year-old will be joined by a team of conservationists and students who intend to climb to the base of the world’s highest mountain to make a bold statement against rhino poaching.
The route to Everest Base Camp is through Gokyo Lakes and the three high passes, which is no ordinary hike. The group will have to ascend three passes over 500km, with the final destination being 5 545 metres above sea-level.
“This is a challenge to any hiker as we are battling the ever-changing weather conditions and high altitude. Our goal this year is for Climbing4Rhino to raise over R100 000 for rhino-related projects under the wing of the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation.
One of their key projects is the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage (FTTRO), which is the only such facility in KZN. This state-of-the-art facility sees to the rescue, rehabilitation and release of orphaned rhino.
“Three rhino are killed every day in South Africa and things need to change rapidly. This climb is about awareness, education and raising funds, we must win this war and save what is our wildlife heritage for future generations to enjoy. We as South Africans must stand tall and do all we can in whatever way we can stop this genocide of the rhino continuing,” he said.
Entwistle added many baby rhino die after their mothers are poached and killed.
“Many babies die after their mother has been poached from stress-related injuries, dehydration, colic and starvation, along with other injuries caused by the poacher. The FTTRO has a team of carers to get these little survivors on the road to recovery, which can take many years. Like us, rhino calves suffer from post-traumatic disorder and stress-related illnesses. Through hard work by staff at the rhino orphanage, these little rhinos are nursed back to health with love and medical care. Care is given every hour of the day, come rain or shine,” he said.
Entwistle is hoping to raise awareness and funds to allow the rhino orphanage team to continue their hard work and most importantly save the little survivors. If you would like to make a donation visit www.indiegogo.com/projects/climbing4rhino-everest-base-camp#/story or email Steven onsteven_entwistle@yahoo.co.uk or visit www.earthorganization.org. Large donations or donations over R20 000 will have their company logo displayed on the benefactor ‘Wall of Fame’ at the orphanage.
