As the demand for rhino horn in China, Vietnam, and other Asian countries increases, poaching rates in southern Africa have soared sky high. More than 400 rhinos have been lost this year in South Africa alone. Responding to high demand and high prices, poaching gangs are becoming more sophisticated, more vicious and much harder to catch. But there are thousands of dedicated, passionate rangers in South Africa and Zimbabwe, standing in between the rhinos and the poachers – and they need our help.

IRF has partnered with security experts in South Africa to improve anti-poaching operations in eleven highly threatened rhino habitats in South Africa and Zimbabwe. Our experts will assess the current operations in each protected area, and will then provide targeted training and basic equipment to rangers.

Rangers will be trained in investigative techniques, intelligence gathering, evidence collection, communications, and rhino identification and monitoring, among other topics.  They will also receive scene-of-crime kits containing basic investigation equipment including a camera, metal detector, GPS, finger-printing materials, and sealable evidence bags.
 

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2011 has been a tough year for rhinos, but 2012 doesn’t have to be. Please help us STOP POACHING NOW!

With a small investment in training and equipment for rangers, we can make a big difference for rhinos!

 

 

 

 

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LEARN MORE ABOUT IRF'S ANTI-POACHING EFFORTS:

Please visit our STOP POACHING NOW Field Updates page to read weekly dispatches from rangers and monitors fighting to protect rhinos in southern Africa.

Read the official STOP POACHING NOW press release.