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World rhino population has fallen by over 90% since the 1970s. On World Rhino Day, Saturday 22 September, fight back by supporting reputable rhino conservation projects.
So far this year we have lost 618 rhinos according to the latest figures (as of 5 September 2013) from the Department of Environmental Affairs. That brings to 2272 the total killed since 2008, which is when poaching numbers started to see a sharp increase.
Beware fly-by-night “charities” claiming to raise funds to fight rhino poaching; ensure your input really helps the cause. Some good ideas for World Rhino Day:
- Sales of a fun yet awareness-raising mobile gaming app, “Rhino Raid”, directly benefit WWF-SA (World Wide Fund for Nature South Africa) rhino conservation work. Read more about the app and download it here.
- Between now and 30 September 2013, every time you swipe your MySchool MyVillage MyPlanet card in support of WWF-SA, you are entered into the lucky draw to win a rhino walking safari from Isibindi Africa Lodges in the Kruger National Park. Apply for a card or add WWF as a beneficiary - it won't cost you anything.
- If you're on Twitter, WWF-SA is challenging everyone to raise awareness and get high-profile corporate, political and celebrity involvement, by tweeting or retweeting #Iam4rhinos - the aim is one million tweets.
- See the World Rhino Day South African events page for more ideas.
Read more about WWF's rhino programme.
And to round out your green weekend...
It's also International Coastal Cleanup Day on Saturday, 21 September 2013: join one of the cleanup events being held at beaches and riversides around the country, or organise your own.
If you're still looking for greenie points after all that, Sunday 22 September is also World Car Free Day, another great international initiative that had some traction in South Africa last year but seems to have puttered out. Let's get it rolling again.
- Olivia Rose-Innes, EnviroHealth Editor
@ORoseInn
Got a good green tip to share? Email me at oroseinn@sa.24.com or post on the EnviroHealth Forum – if it's a planet-saver, we'll publish it.
