Recently updated on January 23rd, 2020 at 12:58 pm
Each year when World Rhino Day comes around on September 22nd, we’re reminded of the valuable work being carried out to help protect this remarkable yet endangered species. But as an on-going issue, the plight of the rhinos is one of the causes supported year-round by the joint initiative between the Travel Corporation brands, the TreadRight Foundation. We at Trafalgar feel proud of the support being given to initiatives such as WildAid, Wilderness Foundation – Africa, and the Endangered Wildlife Trust, as each one endeavours to make a real difference to rhino welfare.
WildAid are known for their initiatives that aim to reduce the amount of poaching, through education; using the slogan ‘when the buying stops, the killing can too’, WildAid places the focus on reducing the demand for wildlife products by teaching people how it affects the population of each wildlife species, and how this in turn has a negative impact on the eco systems and local communities, as well as these communities’ economies. With this in mind, TreadRight supports WildAid in funding their Conservation through Communication campaign, which raises awareness of the rhino poaching crisis in Asia to reduce the demand for rhino horn.
Working alongside a number of game reserves, The Wilderness Foundation – Africa tackles the issue on the ground. In support of conservation agencies and these game reserves, the Foundation’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative strives to strengthen anti-poaching efforts. Through the purchase of the necessary equipment, the implementation of specialist wildlife crime units, as well as helicopter response for wounded rhinos, Wilderness can ultimately reduce wildlife poaching in these areas.
In addition to assisting these two great organisations, the TreadRight Foundation helps fund the work carried out by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Based on the illegal industry’s belief that poaching is a ‘low risk – high reward’ activity, the Endangered Wildlife Trust focuses on elevating the risk perceived. This is done by introducing poaching and smuggling deterrents, by supporting the landowners and reserve managers in their own efforts, and by providing rhino conservation resource material. In addition to assisting with the rescue of wounded rhinos, the Trust also provides care for the orphaned babies.
With such admirable work being carried out by these important initiatives, we at Trafalgar can take pride in the work being done, and the support that’s being given by The TreadRight Foundation. World Rhino Day helps to not only remind us of these projects but also to raise awareness across the world, but it’s also important to consider the cause year-round, helping these initiatives in any way we can.
Find out more about these initiatives through the TreadRight Foundation. By booking a trip with Trafalgar, guests are also assisting the work carried out through TreadRight’s funding.
Image credits: Cover photo © iStock / Johannes Gerhardus Swanepoei. Rhino close-up © iStock / Yuri Arcurs. A rhino about to charge © iStock / jezphotos. A rhino in the wild © iStock / stefanoborsani.