Driving Against Extinction - Week 1

Sunday 08 May 2016

Kariega Gamer Reserve rangers Jo and Daniel Haesslich recently got married in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and are currently enjoying a honeymoon with a difference.  The spending their honeymoon driving up the East coast of South Africa on a trip they have called DRIVING AGAINST EXTINCTION.  The purpose if the trip is to visit a number of conservation organisations and to raise awareness of a number of international charities working to save Africa's endangered species.  We are very proud that not only are Helping Rhinos one of Jo and Daniel's four charities, but all four are members of our Rhino Alliance initiative.

You can read more of the background to Jo and Daniel's trip here, and below is what they have seen on their first week.

WEEK 1

Starting in the Eastern Cape, the newly weds started their journey north, taking in some amazing scenery as they went.  They are being joined on the trip by mascot 'RHINY' who will keeping Jo, Daniel and the wildlife safe!

  

First stop was to visit CROW - Centre for Rehabilitation Of Wildlife in Durban.  Jo and Daniel met the amazing people who run CROW and some of the amazing animals they are caring for.

  

Next it was on to a place we know very well at Helping Rhinos, as Jo and Daniel visited the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage and donated some much need equipment that will really help with the care of the rhino orphans.  They also had the opportunity to go and see the world famous Thula Thula elephant herd.  All the time of course 'Rhiny' was keeping a close eye on proceedings!

    

After Thula Thula it was time to move on the 'home of rhino conservation' Hluhluwe iMfolozi.  This is the location where the Late Dr Ian Player bought the white rhino back from a population of less than 100 to today's total of 19,000.  Jo, Daniel and Rhino enjoyed discovering the mecca of rhino conservation. Can you spot Rhiny on the black rhino statue?

  

The happy couple end their first week in Swaziland, where they visited the Mlilwane Sanctuary and met more amazing people and animals - not to mention the awesome scenery!  Unfortunately Rhiny discovered some shocking statistics...

  

So Week 1 is done, and it has gone so quick!  As Jo said "I wish time would slow down sometimes".

If you would like more information on the Driving Against Extinction trip or if you would like to donate some items that Jo and Daniel can deliver to the facilities they are visiting, please contact us at rhino@helpingrhinos.org

In the meantime, stay tuned for Week 2!!