Local non-profit organisation, Project Rhino, has been shortlisted for international funding and needs you to vote for them.
Project Rhino has been shortlisted for funding from the European Outdoor Conservation Association.
The organisation was selected as one of 16 finalists from hundreds of applications. Through a process of public voting, winners will be selected.
Carlien Roodt, director of Project Rhino, said a vote for Project Rhino is a vote for the future of rhinos.
"Winning the European Outdoor Conservation Association funding would be a lifeline for our conservation efforts, enabling us to intensify our fight against rhino poaching and protect these majestic creatures for generations to come," said Roodt.
Roodt said the organisation is all fundraising based and grants application support.
"We require R7.5-million to keep our projects going annually," she said.
She said funding would contribute to ongoing work, including coordinated anti-poaching interventions such as aerial surveillance and rapid response, K9 anti poaching dog and handler patrols, and removal of snares.
In addition, the Project Rhino runs community conservation education for youth and children to promote the value of wildlife conservation and address real world challenges faced by communities, feeding schemes to support communities around the reserves, horse maintenance support and equine training and field ranger training.
Project Rhino Alliance NPC protects and preserves the white and black rhino populations of KwaZulu-Natal, recognising that their survival is linked to the broader conservation of all wildlife.
The organisation aims to create a safe haven for rhinos and other endangered species, ensuring the long-term health and prosperity of the planet's precious wildlife heritage.
Project Rhino protects the second-largest population of white and black rhinoceros and the genetically most diverse rhino population in the world.
Their footprint in KwaZulu-Natal spans 28 game reserves and approximately 800 000 hectares. Since 2008, over 10 000 rhinos have been killed for their horns, supplying Asian market demand.
"We are a small team, but cover a huge area. Our highest density is in Zululand. This international funding will be a huge relief and will allow us to do more on the ground instead of focusing on fundraising efforts," said Roodt.
Project Rhino is appealing to all supporters to vote for them on https://www.eocaconservation.org/vote/ until April 14. There are 3 categories in which the public are asked to vote – Project Rhino is in the second category.
