Earrings for anti-poaching campaign
BLOUBOSRAND – Jeweller opens his heart for his own love of animals and sponsors a unique pair of earrings for anti-poaching organisation.
With threats of drought, poaching and poverty, many animals have become endangered or even extinct. Pit-Track is a non-profit K9 conservation unit based in Bloubosrand that aims to protect the planet and its animals with prioritisation of endangered flora and fauna species.
Pit-Track is a self-funded organisation made up of ex-military members, conservationists, animal activists, game rangers and security providers. According to Carl Thornton, director and team leader of Pit-Track, they have a unique proactive solution to anti-poaching and use highly skilled operators and K9 to protect the endangered animals, thus preventing their slaughtering.
Thornton added that Pit-Track has more than 50 members who get no payment for their fight against poaching. Thornton explained that they are growing bigger as a unit and taking on bigger anti-poaching campaigns. “We call it Unite the Fight,” said Thornton. He explained that the aim of this is to provide a transparent platform for individuals and corporations to be able to unite.
Thornton said it has been very difficult to get big corporate companies involved. However, after seven years of struggling to get support, JJ Smit from JJ Jewellers in Key West Shopping Centre in Krugersdorp got on board to support Pit-Track. Smit has manufactured a pair of Protea diamond earrings at a value of R53 000 to be sold in aid of Pit-Track. “Once they are sold Smit has pledged to donate the complete proceeds to Pit-Track to be used for anti-poaching uses,” said Thornton.
Smit said that he decided to support Pit-Track because he loves animals. “I grew up on a farm and love animals. The rhino is almost extinct and we have to unite to make a difference,” said Smit. Charlie Summerfield an operator at Pit-Track and Rhino Saverz said that it is wonderful for someone to take the initiative to stand up and make a difference.
“This is our biggest sponsorship to date. It is such a kind gesture to help animals,” concluded Thornton.
Details: Pit-Track, 071 240 3263. JJ Smit Jewellers, 011 273 0018.
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