Bulletin #08-16 August Edition 2016.
This Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species or RAGES is a Rotarian Action Group and operates in accordance with Rotary International policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by Rotary International.
I. AUGUST CHAIR REPORT
G ‘ day
First of all a big welcome to all our new RAGES members that have joined since the last letter. You are very welcome and we look forward to working with you and all our members as we move forward.
We have had a busy two months since I wrote to you and we are achieving progress albeit slow. Always is slow when it comes to endangered species as one knows full well that time is not on our side.
This month we look at two of our RAGES Directors who are making a real difference and both need our help. So I am asking you all to consider getting your club and district behind these two ladies. We are only too happy to introduce you to them and to see where you can help.
Jo Wilmot from the Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea in South Africa was instrumental in getting the idea of this group off the ground with fellow Director Philip Merritt. Jo’s work appears in this newsletter. One of the projects that Jo wants us to support is TESA {Thandi’s Endangered Species Association} below in the video.
Now our RAGES Director for Pygmy Elephants is Debbie Mair who is a member of the Rotary Club of Hutt City in New Zealand and I have her report as well for you to read and see if you can also get behind Debbie and the orphan pygmy elephants that Debbie is working so hard for. Debbie seen with Budda (smallest) and Dongon in Borneo very recently below:
So we now have two great projects on the ground both with Rotarians and RAGES Directors involved, and both are very strong determined women.
LATEST NEWS JUST IN
Susan Sheward M.B.E. (Member of the British Empire) has agreed to join the RAGES Board as our Director for Orangutans and Primates.
www.orangutan-appeal.org.uk
Sue says: “I am not sure if you are aware but the status of the Bornean orangutan has recently been escalated from endangered to critically endangered and makes the work they do even more important that they should continue to highlight the plight of this great ape.
Welcome to RAGES Sue and we look forward to your advice and words of wisdom regarding your passion saving orangutans, and how Rotarians and Rotaractors can be of service!
Painting by Paula Wiegmink Mother and Child, simply stunning!
Please continue to let your members and fellow Rotarians and Rotaractors know that RAGES is moving upwards and onwards.
Yours in Rotary
John Glassford
RAGES Chair 2014 -2017
Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species
Rotary Club of Coolamon District 9700
New South Wales, Australia
II. RAGES PROJECT DIRECTOR (RHINOS) JO WILMOT WORKING HARD
1. RHINO RUN 2016 SOUTH AFRICA
People always asked – HOW CAN WE HELP OUR RHINOS… Well, this is one way – find your closest Rhino Run and register! Make it count!
http://therhinorun.com/wp/
Don’t let our rhinos run out of time…!
Why not organise a rhino run in your District and raise awareness and funds for our endorsed rhino project the Chipembere Rhino Foundation?
2. WILD RHINO ORPHAN SANCTUARY
Jo has written about her work recently and this lady is a tireless worker for the rhino.
One project that Jo would like RAGES members to support is the Care for Wild Africa’s Wild Rhino Sanctuary.
I have created a pdf file which you can down load here:
3. CHIPEMBERE RHINO FOUNDATION:
Jo is also working with the Chipembere Rhino Foundation which RAGES has endorsed as one of the projects that we will support. Their projects are here: Chipembere Rhino Foundation
One of South Africa’s best-kept getaway secrets is HillsNek Safari Camp, on addition, the owners volunteer their time on a full-time basis to the Chipembere Rhino Foundation, situated in a secluded corner of the magnificent, Amakhala Game Reserve, close to Addo Elephant National Park, just 70km outside Port Elizabeth in the malaria-free Eastern Cape of South Africa. Just four exclusive, luxurious tented suites set on the banks of the Bushman’s River offer a breathtaking panoramic vista of rolling African plains, home to abundant wildlife including the white rhino.
FACT: Over 5 000 known rhino have been poached in South Africa in the last 8 years. There are only some 18 900 white and 2040 black rhinos left in South Africa, which is home to 74% of Africa’s remaining rhino population. Poaching levels have reached crisis point: between 2000 and 2014, 3,915 rhinos were slaughtered, with another 1,175 rhino butchered in 2015.
Among these thousands of slaughtered rhinos were two of Amakhala’s white rhino bulls. It was this sad event in 2010 that prompted HillsNek Safari’s owners to step up their conservation efforts to protect and promote the population growth of the southern white rhino in Africa. Determined to protect and conserve this species more than ever, the Chipembere Rhino Foundation (CRF) was established by HillsNek Safari owners, as a separate, privately-run non-profit organization, aimed at conserving rhino and supporting the stringent anti-poaching efforts needed. As an NGO run by volunteers, the Foundation provides tangible equipment, intelligence, technology, education and relocation assistance to rhino custodians.
HillsNek Safaris uses its unique hospitality offering to contribute substantially to the extensive work done by the Foundation across Southern Africa. HillsNek staff volunteer their time and energy to assist the Foundation in its work, while HillsNek rangers raise awareness by discussing the plight of our rhinos and the work of the Foundation with all guests. If you are looking for the ideal getaway, consider an unprecedented safari experience for the love of rhinos! For more information, about HillsNek Safari Camp go to:
Jo’s report can be down loaded here:
Jo Wilmot Report for Newsletter July August 2016
III. RAGES PROJECT DIRECTOR (PYGMY ELEPHANTS) DEBBIE MAIR WORKING HARD
The Wildlife Rescue Unit, Sabah. It’s been an honour to get to know these people. Thank you for hosting me, sharing your stories and allowing me to experience this special place filled with extraordinary people. Stay safe and maintain the RAGE. I will support and fund-raise for you from afar.
Endangered Species Protection – RAGES High School Challenge bringing National Geographical learning into the classroom. Let’s get all of our 26 Regional Secondary Schools involved to see what is needed to save Endangered Wildlife. The younger generation want to make a difference and through Rotary we can share projects and work together to find a way forward…….
The recent collared wild Borneo Pygmy Elephant No 35, Koyah may be the one that saves her species as her movements will be tracked by students all over NZ, so that we can learn the best way to protect her and prevent human elephant conflicts. This is Rotary evolving to teach the younger generation how, why, where and when we make a difference.
Thanks to Hutt Valley High School and Scots College Wellington for being the first 2 schools on board. Dedicated people, united and working together, can change the world.
You can learn more of Debbie’s wonderful work below:
Debbie Mair Report July August 2016
IV. RAGES IN ATLANTA 2017
The Rotary International Convention in Atlanta will be a large gathering of the Rotary Family. It will be the centenary of our Foundation.
RAGES as a Rotarian Action Group is obliged to be there in a booth as we did in the Seoul 2016 RICON.
RAGES will also be asking for a break-out session and we will be holding our AGM and the election of our board.
We will be looking for help on the booth and as members we encourage you to attend our AGM and Break-Out Session if we have one allocated ot us.
Rotary International Britain and Ireland President and RAGES Director Eve Conway with me on the RAGES Booth in Seoul.
You can book here: Atlanta 2017 RICON.
V. SOME GOOD NEWS
Smithsonian Sends ‘Extinct’ Antelope Back to Africa
Image via the Smithsonian Institute
The scimitar-horned oryx went extinct in the wild three decades ago, but it’s making a triumphant return to Chad.
WASHINGTON, DC — The scimitar-horned oryx has been resurrected from the dead. It’s been 30 years since the antelope was declared extinct, and now, thanks to the Smithsonian National Zoo, it’s headed back to the Sahelian grasslands of Chad where it once roamed.
FULL Story here by –
VI. KENYA SEEKS GLOBAL BAN ON IVORY TRADE
Battle lines drawn as Kenya seeks global ban on ivory trade:
From the Star Kenya 26th August 2016 by By GILBERT KOECH @koechjunior_1
Countries opposed to Kenya’s bid to have the global trade of ivory banned are spoiling for a fight ahead of the United Nation’s meeting next month in South Africa.
The 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora will be held in South Africa between September 24 to October5.
However,the meeting set to seal the fate of African elephants among others wildlife and plants has degenerated into a heated debate,with some African countries drawing their battle lines.
Namibia and Zimbabwe have already petitioned CITES to exempt their elephants from the ivory trade ban,on grounds that their populations are thriving.
The two argue that proceeds from legal stocks of ivory would generate income to improve conservation and anti-poaching efforts.
FULL STORY HERE
VII. HOPE UPDATE
Dr Johan Marais attended to Hope recently on August 12th. She was immobilised by Dr Jana Pretorius, from the Rhino Pride Foundation, and was kept under for a short time only, while we treated her wound. We are all very pleased with the way she is healing. The ABRA and Glubran surgical glue made a massive difference over the last few months. Hope stays an icon and ambassador for rhino survivors worldwide – what an extremely special animal….
As always doing amazing work go to their web site below:
Saving the Survivors – Creating Hope from Hurt
P.S. THINKING ABOUT IT!
RAGES FACEBOOK PAGE
Still getting a lot of visits to our Facebook site.
Click on the logo below and join us please on Facebook.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 61 2 6927 6027 {61 is the code for Australia}.
Postal: 22 Moore Street, GANMAIN, NEW SOUTH WALES 2701, AUSTRALIA.