Celebrating a Conservation Win This World Rhino Day

Banner and listing image credited to volunteer, Moritz Stragholz.

This World Rhino Day (September 22nd), we are celebrating a remarkable achievement in rhino conservation, made possible by the unwavering dedication and hard work of our very own volunteers. The first group of The Great Rhino Rescue Mission embarked on a life-changing journey to South Africa this month, successfully rescuing not one but two rhinos from an intensive breeding farm. Later this month, the second group will rescue a third rhino, which will join the others to form a new herd.

The Mission

On rescue day, the volunteers rose before dawn, their hearts full of hope and purpose, ready to put their training to the test. As the sun rose, they set off to the breeding farm, their mission clear: to save two rhinos and transport them to safety on a secure reserve. 

Upon reaching the farm, the action began. The two rhinos were carefully darted and swiftly assessed by a skilled veterinary team with help from the volunteers, who helped to fit the rhinos with tracking devices and collars. The next step was crucial: safely loading the rhinos into translocation trailers. Thanks to the prior training, the volunteers, alongside the reserve team, flawlessly executed this delicate operation, ensuring the animals were secure and comfortable for their journey.

With the rhinos safely in their trailers, the vehicles made their way to a protected reserve where the next chapter of their lives would begin. The mission was a success! The rhinos were released into a holding boma, a temporary enclosure where they could rest and recover from the move. They are under 24-hour surveillance by the anti-poaching team and soon will be dehorned, in order to protect them further from any poaching threats. In a few weeks, these rhinos will be joined by others rescued in future missions, gradually forming a new herd before they are released together into the larger reserve.

As a token of appreciation for their efforts, the volunteers were given the opportunity to name the rescued rhinos. We are thrilled to introduce Zula and Ugai to the world! The female rhino, Zula, has a name that symbolises "brightness and radiance" and is also inspired by a beautiful flower found in East Africa. Her companion, the male rhino, has been named Ugai, meaning "where to" in the local Sotho language - a fitting name for his adventurous spirit!

The Future

Image credited to volunteer, Moritz Stragholz.

By relocating these rhinos to a protected environment, we are not only giving them a safe and secure life but also contributing to the long-term recovery of their species. Here, they will be safe from the threats that have driven their numbers to critical lows. Over time, as more rhinos are introduced and natural breeding occurs, we hope to see a significant increase in their population on the reserve. In the future, the rhinos may be translocated to other ethical reserves to avoid in-breeding.

This rescue and relocation is just the beginning. A second group of The Great Rhino Rescue Mission is heading out on September 30th (there's still space if you're looking for an incredible last-minute adventure)! Plus, with the success of these missions, planning is underway for another rhino to be rescued in March 2025. If you want to be part of a dynamic rhino rescue, head to the project page and find out how you can transform one animal's life and a whole species' future!

With each new effort, we edge closer to ensuring a brighter future for rhinos. As we celebrate World Rhino Day 2024 and this year's fitting theme, 'Building a Future for Rhinos', let's remember the importance of these conservation efforts and continue supporting the initiatives that make such incredible success stories possible.

World Rhino Day 2024

The fight to save rhinos is far from over. It’s a fight that requires the collective effort of individuals, organisations, and governments worldwide. Together, we can ensure that future generations inherit a world where rhinos roam free, where they are not just memories in books and photographs but living, breathing symbols of the wild. You can make a difference by:

• Support Conservation Organisations: Contribute to organisations like the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Save the Rhino, or the International Rhino Foundation that work tirelessly to protect all five rhino species.
• Raise Awareness: Share information about rhino conservation, and educate others about the importance of these animals.
• Responsible Tourism: When visiting wildlife reserves, choose ethical and certified tours and companies that contribute to conservation efforts, or why not volunteer with rhinos?
• Advocate for Stronger Laws: Support policies and laws that protect rhinos from poaching and habitat loss. Sign petitions and keep the conservation alive.
• Reduce Your Carbon Footprint: Climate change affects rhinos and their habitats. Taking steps to reduce your carbon footprint can indirectly help protect these animals.

Together, we are making a difference - one rhino at a time. Thank you to everyone who supports The Great Projects mission and our amazing volunteers who make it all possible!