This Rotarian Action Group is dedicated to the protection of Endangered Species initially with a special emphasis on the plight of African Rhinos, Elephants and Mountain Gorillas.
This is the Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species- RAGES.
This Rotarian Action Group for Endangered Species or RAGES is is a Rotarian Action Group and operates in accordance with Rotary International policy but is not an agency of, or controlled by Rotary International.
We will post worthwhile and bone-fide projects to this page and you are then invited to support the project of your choice through your Rotary club’s 4th Avenue of Service: International Service.
Below are the endorsed RAGES projects that deserve our attention and support:
1. SAVE OUR RHINO SOUTH AFRICA.
The project of the Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea in South Africa:
Save Our Rhino Web Site
Rotary Kenton takes up the challenge to save the Rhino. In existence for over 50-million years, rhinos are global symbols of nature’s right to life – the shocking plight of rhinos led to the Rotary Club of Kenton on Sea donating Rand 23,250 to Brent Cooke of the Chipembere Rhino Foundation for tracking collars. At the handover of the cheque, world renowned veterinarian and expert on rhino conservation, Dr William Fowlds, talked about the fight to save the Kariega rhinos after the brutal poaching attack on them. When asked what the Kenton Rotary Club could do to help, he answered “create awareness across the world.”
Rhino poaching has reached a crisis point, and if the high levels of poaching continue, rhino populations will be seriously affected. In South Africa if the killing continues at this high rate, we could see rhino deaths overtaking births in 2016-2018, meaning rhinos could become extinct in the very near future.
Somewhere in the bush a rhino nudges and nuzzles her newborn calf, blissfully unaware of the frenzy she’s created. In the darkest of times, she unknowingly gave us something so beautiful and tender-hope. Simply by choosing to survive, by going on each day, and by being..well, a rhino. Thank you Thandi. We will not give up.
Dr Fowlds of Kariega Game Reserve and Wildlife Veterinary Surgeon, comments: “I am sure that the whole rhino caring community will share in the joy of this amazing birth. Thandi’s story has always been an incredible testimony of the will to survive against all odds. She represents so much of what her species faces under the current poaching crisis. Her survival has already given us inspiration but the birth of her calf brings a new dimension of hope to the crisis showing us that a future generation of life is possible if we put our minds and hearts to it.”
South Africa has the largest population of rhinos in the world. However, figures compiled by the South African Department of Environmental Affairs show a dramatic escalation in the number of rhinos being poached. During 2014 a staggering 1116 rhinos were killed. Over the past five years 3569 rhinos have died at the hands of poachers.
Together with the Rotary Club of Kenton-on-Sea South Africa and our Projects Director Jo Wilmot, we are developing RAGES International Survival Kits or RISK “Boxes”. These boxes or kits will be available for Rotary and Rotaract Clubs and Districts to support.
These RISK “Boxes” will contain equipment that will go to various projects engaged in the protection and survival of rhinos in areas of South Africa that are currently under attack by well organised poaching gangs and syndicates.
These RISK “Boxes” will start at $500 for the entry level. There are three other levels that will be available.
*BRONZE RISK “BOX” LEVEL 1 $500
*SILVER RISK “BOX” LEVEL 2 $1,500
*GOLD RISK “BOX” LEVEL 3 $2,500
*DIAMOND RISK “BOX” LEVEL 4 $5,000
*A full list of what is contained in each level of the RISK “Boxes” will be made available on our RAGES web site and via our newsletters.
Just some of the items in the RISK “Boxes” for Rhinos, including one for K9 Anti-Poaching Training.
2. PYGMY ELEPHANT ORPHANS BORNEO
Debbie Mair RAGES Director with Budda (smallest) and Dongon in Borneo.
The Wildlife Rescue Unit, Sabah.
Some news on what Debbie is doing here with these critically endangered elephants in Borneo.
Deb returns from Borneo after collating data from the Fonterra NZ milk powder trial in Sabah, Borneo. Deb extended the rotary hand of friendship to the Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu, The Director of the Sabah Wildlife Department and various Rangers from the Wildlife Rescue Units (WRU).
The milk powder trial using 2 elephants was very success and Fonterra have been notified.
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
3. ORANGUTANS BORNEO
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.
4. HUMAN WILDLIFE CONFLICT
Tom and Julie Tochterman
Tom Tochterman has joined our RAGES Board as the Human/Wildlife Conflict Director. Tom has a wealth of experience and here is his history: Tochterman Resume
Now one of the many things that Tom has done was to found a Non-Profit US based NGO Rhino Mercy, operating in South Africa since 2010. (endangered species protection, environmental research, and human/wildlife, conflict resolution).
Rhino Mercy encourages stakeholder participation in the establishment of anti-poaching programs. In partnership with Transfrontier Africa, Rhino Mercy co-developed an effective wildlife security model that can be replicated by private game reserve managers throughout the Greater Kruger National Park.
Currently the partnership has established a multi-faceted anti-poaching strategy on the Balule Nature Reserve which includes, among other initiatives, the deployment of Environmental Monitors (Black Mamba APU) and a highly trained tactical response force (both lovingly referred to as “boots on the ground”). For more information about the Black Mambas (first all female APU in the history of South Africa) please see the links below.
http://www.blackmambas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/blackmambasapu
5. ELEPHANTS AND THE DAVID SHELDRICK WILDLIFE TRUST KENYA.
Dame Daphne Sheldrick with her mates in Tsavo:
Born from one family’s passion for Kenya and its wilderness, the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust is today the most successful orphan-elephant rescue and rehabilitation program in the world and one of the pioneering conservation organisations for wildlife and habitat protection in East Africa.
Founded in 1977 by Dr. Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E, in honour of the memory of her late husband, famous naturalist and founding Warden of Tsavo East National Park, David Leslie William Sheldrick MBE, the DSWT claims a rich and deeply rooted family history in wildlife and conservation.
Dame Daphne Sheldrick D.B.E. signs the RAGES Say NO Poster.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust has many excellent projects including their Community Outreach programmes that we are keen to endorse and support.
For over a decade the David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust’s Community Outreach Programs have been vital in building sustainable relationships with the local communities bordering Kenya’s National Parks and wildlife protected areas.
These successful programs strive to improve living conditions and educational standards, encouraging communities and the next generation to protect their wildlife and environment.
For more information on this wonderful project visit:
SHELDRICK TRUST WEB SITE