DAVID SHEPHERD WILDLIFE FOUNDATION AND SAVE THE RHINO TRUST WORKING
TOGETHER TO SAVE THE WORLD'S LAST TRULY WILD BLACK RHINOS IN NAMIBIA
In the mid 1980s, a savage slaughter of
wildlife, particularly the black rhino which suffered a catastrophic
98% decline throughout Africa, was taking place in Namibia. The
world's last remaining population of desert-adapted rhino, together
with the desert elephant, was facing extinction. Rhino numbers
were reduced to approximately 30 animals in the beautiful, remote
landscape of Damaraland and Kunene province.
Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) was set up by
Blythe Loutit and other concerned individuals, to work with government
and local leaders to conserve the rhino in communal lands by means
of anti-poaching patrols and monitoring of the animals. SRT actively
conducts, promotes and supports community conservation. Benefits
received through tourism really do go to the local population.
Today, largely due to SRT, rhino numbers in the area have increased
to between 100-200 and they are now the last truly wild black
rhinos in Africa, not fenced or under armed guard. This has only
been possible by anti-poaching work, monitoring and working with
village communities, government officials and tourist concession
holders, and there is now greatly increased local community participation
in conservation programmes.
The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF),
a UK based conservation charity, responded in 1994 to SRT's urgent
appeal to help save the black rhinos and other wildlife living
in the planet's oldest desert. DSWF has proved itself to be one
of SRT's longest standing and most important international donors.
DSWF's grants have funded SRT's unique rhino database, which is
now being used as a format for other wildlife monitoring programmes.
Money is currently funding vital on-going monitoring and anti-poaching
work as well as community education and awareness programmes.
DSWF has to date made grants of over £250,000 to the project.
Since the tragic death of Blythe Loutit
two years ago, to which this unique programme is dedicated, DSWF
have increased their efforts to continue funding the work to save
her beloved black rhinos. 100% of donations made directly to DSWF
for SRT will go in full to fund their fieldwork.
Please send your donations, marked clearly
'SRT' to DSWF at 61 Smithbrook Kilns, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8JJ,
UK. Or call 01483 272323 or email dswf@davidshepherd.org or you
can donate on line by clicking here.
How your donations can help:
£10 can buy a pair of
hardy boots for a tracker
£20 can buy Rhino ID booklets for one team for
six month
£100 can buy patrol rations for a team of trackers
for one month Click here to read
more in our February appeal
