Cryptocurrency to aid rhino conservation

You might think cryptocurrency and conservation don’t go together, but that’s exactly what’s happening.

A new cryptocurrency was launched in Bryanston which will aid in the conservation of rhinos. The currency called Rhino Coin will contribute to a foundation called the Rhino Coin Foundation and the two will work together to both fund and aid conservation efforts.

With the vast amounts of funding required to safeguard, sustain and maintain, let alone grow, a rapidly dwindling rhino population, Rhino Coin’s key motivation is to create a steady and significant source of revenue for rhino conservation.

Dr Johan Marais, a renowned veterinarian and director of the foundation, said that in the last five years, every year, 1 000 rhinos are lost to poaching, an unsustainable figure which will soon lead to their extinction.

He said that rhino horn is considered as a sign of wealth and many people are banking on the extinction of rhinos in order to make their horns an even more valuable commodity.

Marais also highlighted how expensive conservation is. A male rhino which had his horn brutally removed required intensive treatment to save his life. Just one treatment costs over R40 000 and multiple treatments were needed.

The cost, however, has been worth it as the rhino has now bred with two females, ensuring the one lineage is not lost to poaching.

Braam Malherbe, a conservationist who is also on the board of the foundation said, “We are faced with a huge challenge and we need to change our thinking. We can either be an asset or a liability.

“It’s time to stop talking about what we should be doing and do what we can. We can either be part of the problem or part of the solution.”

Alexander Wilcocks, a founding member of the Rhino Coin said, “Rhino Coin is crypto conservation, which means its cryptocurrency with a conscience. We combine the transparency and security of blockchain with the social responsibility of conservation.”

Wilcocks added that he believes that blockchain is a new channel to facilitate services. “It is a platform that allows concepts to build and function off of.”

Each Rhino Coin’s value represents one gram of legal rhino horn and a percentage of each coin sold will be given to the foundation which will focus on conservation efforts. The foundation will not only focus on conservation but also on discouraging the illegal trade and benefitting the communities surrounding rhino reserves.

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Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/115554/meet-the-rhino-saving-parabot/

https://www.citizen.co.za/sandton-chronicle/134446/award-winning-wildlife-presenter-talks-conservation/