Friday, 05 August 2011

Rhino ‘chute’ draws near

This Saturday will see 40 people jumping from 10 000ft in a show of support for SA’s endangered rhino population. The brave volunteers - all first-time parachutists - will exit an aeroplane called ‘Gabriel’ from an airfield midway between Durban and Pietermaritzburg. African Conservation Trust staff members comprise 21 of the group, the remainder coming from various environmental organisations, as well as private people deeply concerned about the future of the dwindling Rhino populations in South Africa.
The current national rhino poaching toll stands at 233. If it continues at present levels, South Africa is set to lose 400 rhino by December: 60 more than in 2010. In celebration of August being Women’s Month, half the skydiving team are women, who range in age from university students, to new moms, to glamorous grannies. The oldest skydiver is the 65 year-old, aptly named Noreen Courage. Zululand is also represented, including Jabulani Ngubane, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s dedicated Rhino Conservation Officer and Andrew Zaloumis, CEO of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park. The skydive will be preceded tonight (Thursday) by a black tie dinner which will see 200 philanthropists and business leaders from the KZN Midlands adding their support to the campaign, as they bid for collectable items. One item that will not be auctioned, though, is a life-size fibreglass rhino donated by an auto spares franchise in Empangeni. ‘We see a huge future for Rosie,’ said spokesperson Sheelagh Antrobus, referring to the nickname already given to the statue. ‘She’s got a lot of work to do in the coming months, helping us and our conservation partners spread the word that SA’s rhinos are an iconic, protected species and their horns are not for sale.’ Dr Ian Player, widely credited with saving the White Rhino from extinction in the 1960s, will be the VIP guest speaker. His Magqubu Ntombela Memorial Foundation will be a beneficiary of the event, along with Wildlife ACT, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s anti-poaching units, and other under-funded rhino protection initiatives in the province. The Wildlands Conservation Trust will also benefit. All proceeds will go to specific rhino protection activities and already the target of R100 000 has almost been met. • To donate to the Skydive for Rhinos campaign, visit www.projectafrica.com for full details.

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