The African ethos of Ubuntu promotes the power of a village, supporting one another to achieve common goals. For conservation efforts to be successful, many areas of vulnerability must be addressed. To be successful, this requires a collaborative approach with efforts being made by a variety of passionate contributors.

The CITES Parties, through Resolution Conf 9.14 (Rev. CoP15), have mandated IUCN SSC’s African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG), Asian Rhino Specialist Group (AsRSG) and TRAFFIC to prepare a comprehensive report for the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (CoP17) on the conservation status of African and Asian rhinoceros species, trade in specimens, stocks and stock management, illegal killing, enforcement issues, conservation actions and management strategies and measures by implicated States to end illegal use and consumption of rhino parts and derivatives. This report primarily deals with developments since CoP16. Click here to see the full document.

2016 WINNERS ANNOUNCED In a recent News24 report, Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, announced that 363 rhinos were poached in South Africa between January and April 2016. Molewa extended condolences to the family of Kruger National Park ranger, Enos Mabila, who was killed recently. She also paid tribute to SANParks ranger, Killers Ubisi, who was wounded while carrying out his duties. “It is always sad to hear of such incidents. They are a stark reminder of the severity of the threat we are facing.”

The heroic actions of those that fight for the conservation of the rhino were recently acknowledged, celebrated and rewarded at the Rhino Conservation Awards. The gala-dinner Awards ceremony was held on the 27th of July at the Montecasino Ballroom and was well attended. His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, Patron of the Awards, delivered the keynote address at the event, congratulated the winners for their exemplary efforts and was presented with the Grand Patron Award.

According to a recent article written by photojournalist, Scott Ramsay, rhino poaching in South Africa is at record levels, with more than 1 215 having been killed in 2014. The game rangers are the soldiers on the frontlines in this war against the desecration of a species, putting their lives and that of their families on the line for nature conservation.