#Protectthelastrhinos

Our Rangers have to be ‘ahead of the game’, equipped and trained to the highest standard. Communication technology and canine support give them every advantage, supremacy in the field. 

Donate to Support the Rangers

Critical Facts

In the last ten years more than a 1,000 Rangers have lost their lives in the line of duty. They are the unsung heroes who quite literally lay down their lives to protect endangered wildlife in its natural environment. They need our support.

Rangers often come from local communities surrounding game reserves and are a great source of information both education and community liaison purposes.

The job of the Ranger has changed significantly over the past few years from a more conservation based role to a more military focused position.  The Rangers now require an additional skill set and training to take on the anti-poaching operations required alongside their ecology and conservation knowledge.

What we have achieved so far

The Black Mambas
The Black Mambas were founded in 2013 and are the first all-female anti-poaching unit in South Africa.  They operate in the Greater Kruger National Park and have undergone intensive tracking and combat training.  Unarmed, they undertake foot and vehicle patrols every single day of the week covering a vast 52,000 hectares.  They carry out road -blocks as well as regular sweeps for snares.

These ladies are very dedicated to the protection of rhinos and other endangered species, and are respected and admired within their communities and the world at large.  But their work is long and hard and often dangerous.

The deployment of women from the local community to a typically male dominated environment is a truly innovative approach to wildlife conservation. 

Together our achievements include:

• A 63% reduction in poaching within the Black Mambas' area of operation

• Communications technology essential for the patrol teams to remain in contact with the HQ and Operations team

• Provision of food and water for the patrol teams 

• Provision of uniforms for the patrol teams

• Support with day to day operational costs, vital to keep the teams active in the areas known to be poaching hotspots

• Provision of educational material for the Bush Babies education outreach programme

Ol Pejeta Conservancy
In 2017 and 2018 Helping Rhinos was the largest single contributor to Ol Pejeta’s rhino conservation work including:

Security patrols on Ol Pejeta to ensure the protection and health of all rhino on the conservancy.  The anti-poaching unit have strong and effective procedures, which have proved to be very effective in deterring poachers.

Support for the anti-poaching dog unit, vital to keep the anti-poaching teams operational.  This has proved hugely successful with no rhinos poached for 18 months to date.

We have supported the northern white rhino rangers, helping to ensure the protection and care of the last northern white rhino on the planet.

For many Rangers their role is a vocation rather than just a job and we are proud to be part of their development. We have supported the personal development of the northern white rhino rangers, through widening their knowledge base and bringing them to the UK as part of a fund raising and awareness campaign.  This involved speaking to over 1,000 UK school children, providing information and motivation in conservation.

Zululand Rhino Orphanage

All ZRO staff are committed carers of rhino orphans and whilst they are not traditional Rangers, they play an important role inrhino conservation. We have continued to support these efforts as well as ensuring effective security and anti-poaching patrols of the ZRO facility.

Daily and nightly patrols are carried out by specially trained Rangers to ensure the safety of the orphanage facilities and the rhino (and hippo) babies that are being cared for there.

Helping Rhinos have funded the purchase and implementation of security cameras and improved security fencing.

The need for best in class security at orphanage facilities was highlighted by the poaching incident at the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage that saw two rhinos killed and staff attacked.

How your gift will allow us to sustain our support for rangers

Rangers and anti-poaching officers play a crucial role in the protection of rhinos and other endangered wildlife. They risk their lives to protect wildlife in their natural habitat. 

Much of our funding and indeed your donations, goes to these field programmes, ensuring support for these Rangers, including the provision of basic equipment such as boots, uniforms, field equipment, vehicles and decent accommodation.  All of these things are essential for the rangers to maintain their duties to the highest standards.