Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles today announced the sponsorship of six Volkswagen Amarok bakkies (pickup) to the Rhino Protection Initiative at a media conference held at the Johannesburg Zoo. The R2 million sponsorship is part of the partnership between Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and the Wilderness Foundation, the pioneers and administrators of the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
Internationally Volkswagen has developed strategy around a responsible approach to environmental issues called ‘Think Blue’. It begins with the range of the highly efficient low emission BlueMotion cars, to energy efficient production plants and the support of appropriate environmental projects such as the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative.
The Amaroks were handed over to the conservation agencies in high priority areas of Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape and KwaZulu Natal. The conservation agencies that will benefit from the partnership are SANPARKS, North West Parks & Tourism Board, Eastern Cape Parks & Tourism Agency, KZN Wildlife and Eastern Cape Private Game Reserves Association (Indalo). The vehicles will be primarily used in proactive rhino protection and anti-poaching activities.
The latest reports show that one rhino is poached every day in South Africa. To date over 170 rhinos have been poached. To put the scale of the problem into perspective; in 2007 only 13 rhinos were poached, in 2009 the number increased to 124 and in 2010 it rocketed to 335.
In the past 40 years, South Africa has achieved unprecedented success with the preservation of the rhino population. As a result, South Africa is now home to over 90% of all rhinos in the world.
Dr Ian Player, the founder of the Wilderness Foundation said: “I have always been an optimist but realistic one and in the depth of my being I believe we shall succeed in saving the rhino. But do not let us be deluded, we are up against terrible dark forces that threaten to overwhelm us. In the world of wildlife conservation the White and Black rhino have been spiritual beacons of hope. All our children now look to us in our generation to ensure that the prehistoric remnants of the dinosaur age continue to exist on our Planet.”
“The belief by millions of people in China and Vietnam that the horn has medical properties is very deep seated and has been for thousands of years. This belief will not be changed by rational arguments. We now need to debate in all possible forums the merit and demerits of legalising the sale of rhino horn. This debate is necessary so that the Minister of the Environment can make an informed decision,” concluded Dr Player.
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