Inongwe is a real female rhino residing in Zambia’s Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, and she will be the face or “horn” of our new three month #SaveInongwe campaign, which is due to kick off on World Rhino Day, 22 September. In South Africa alone rhinos are being killed by poachers at a rate of three per day, the entire population facing extinction in the wild by 2026. If you’re concerned about poaching and want to get involved here’s how:
*Share our #SaveInongwe hashtag on Facebook and Twitter as rhinos need a voice: We’ll be updating and tweeting about this much loved member of the Big Five, talking about the issues and letting you know about great things happening on the ground. We’ll also be giving a thumbs up to the Zambian park as the rangers have made major strides on the anti-poaching front.
* Get on board and play an active part in our latest rhino initiative: Join us on the 19-day Desert Tracker or the 41-day Cape Town To Kenya, both expeditions departing on the 27th of September. Find out more about our partners Save the Rhino International and celebrate with us before the tour departs. Yes, it’s official, we’re going to christen one of 20 strong fleet of trucks after Inongwe in South Africa’s Mother City!
* Out on tour you’ll also be treated to a “Bad Hair” party in Livingstone where you’ll have the chance to bag a rhino walking safari in the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park and come face to horn with Inongwe. Why a bad hair party you ask? Thought to have medicinal properties in some countries, in reality rhino horn is composed of keratin the same material found in hair and nails so there are no health benefits.
* Can’t make those 27 departures? Don’t worry as we’ll be giving everyone the opportunity get involved in the campaign, the “Bad Hair Day Challenge” launching on 17 October. Rhino fans will need to upload their Bad Hair Day selfie to Facebook or Twitter using the #SaveInongwe hashtag, after which you can choose to either nominate or donate to Save the Rhino International.
* Coming to Africa at a later date..? Everyone passing through Livingstone on our tours will have the opportunity to meet Inongwe. And, there is even more excitement in store as the rhino is due to deliver a second “baby Inongwe” in 2015.
* Our campaign will run from Word Rhino day through to 22 December so stay tuned for more updates on Facebook, Twitter and right here on the blog! We’re sure Inongwe will be one of many favourites so feel free to showcase your own rhino snaps using our #SaveInongwe hashtag and let’s come together to stomp out rhino poaching!
Save the Rhino International (UK registered charity number 1035072) works to conserve viable populations of critically endangered rhinos in Africa and Asia. By funding field projects and through education, its goal is to deliver material, long-lasting and widespread benefits to rhinos and other endangered species, ecosystems and to the people living in these areas. It aims to increase the number of rhinos in genetically viable populations in the wild; enhance the integrity of ecosystems and to ensure that local communities benefit from conservation activities. Please visit www.savetherhino.org to find out more.