Serving Zululand rhino conservation
Key to its commitment to conservation is working in partnership with neighbouring communities
THE Zululand Rhino Reserve Foundation recently announced its rebranding as the Zululand Conservation Trust at a fund-raising event in Durban.
The six-year-old Public Benefit Organisation, which is globally renowned for its work with orphaned rhinos and community related projects, raised a massive R326 100 which will help support the Trust’s efforts to conserve the ever-threatened and dwindling rhino population and other endangered species within the Zululand region.
The bulk of the funds were raised through the auction of rhino jewellery created by British jewellery firm Deakin & Francis, as well as some artwork by renowned local and international artists – including a limited edition photographic portrait of Nelson Mandela by Matthew William which went for a whopping R90 000.
Last week’s event at the five-star Oyster Box Hotel in Umhlanga was attended by traditional leader Nkosi Eugene Zulu, patron of the Trust, along with a host of conservation-minded people.
Speaking at the fund-raiser, David Attenborough, a trustee of the foundation, said, ‘We recognise that conservation is more about people and their views, than merely establishing game parks. At the heart of what we do is the empowerment of local communities by helping with their education and by forging mutually beneficial partnerships in specific conservation initiatives.
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‘We believe that empowerment, upliftment and education will reinforce the value of wildlife and conservation.’
In February this year the foundation made headline news with the successful release of two young male white rhinos.
One, named Ithuba, captured the imagination of people worldwide. It was orphaned when his mother was killed by poachers. The other, Thando, was abandoned by his mother when he got stuck in mud.
The foundation was able to fund their boarding at an orphanage, their release, as well as their tracking collars, vet bills and transport costs.
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The proceeds from this event will be used to fund projects that the Zululand Conservation Trust undertake, which include vital and ongoing support of the rhino orphans being raised in the Zululand Rhino Orphanage, which in itself is a subsidiary of the Zululand Conservation Trust, as well as numerous community programmes which are under discussion with community leaders.
Established as an NPO in 2011, the trust was set up in partnership with the Manyoni Private Game Reserve (formerly the Zululand Rhino Reserve).
Key to its commitment to conservation is their working in partnership with neighbouring communities in a collective effort to ensure the welfare and protection of the area, its wildlife and specifically its endangered species.
