Catherine Kühn Tackles Rhino Peak Challenge for Wildlife Conservation

Photo Credit: Supplied

Not all heroes wear capes. Some wear tough hiking boots and their hearts for nature on their sleeve, much like Catherine Kühn, who will be climbing the 3,056m Rhino Peak at the Maloti-Drakensberg Park to raise crucial funds for endangered species and their habitats.

Cape Town, South Africa (10 July 2025) – Catherine Kühn is taking her passion for environmental conservation to new heights -literally- as she prepares to take on the Rhino Peak Challenge (RPC) in September.

As a conservationist dedicated to biodiversity awareness and connecting people to nature through her work at the Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT), Catherine considers it an honour to be climbing the famous Rhino Peak for endangered species and the preservation of their natural habitats; her first as an EWT Ambassador.

The Rhino Peak Challenge is an annual fundraising event for conservation that takes place at the Maloti-Drakensberg Park World Heritage Site. A limited number of RPC Ambassadors undertake the challenge of climbing the renowned 3,056-meter peak while raising funds for the RPC beneficiaries.

Since its inception in 2016, the initiative has raised almost R5.2m for Wildlife ACT, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Bearded Vulture Recovery Programme; a remarkable achievement for conservation that Catherine is eager to contribute to as well.

“I am a passionate conservationist and have been working in the NGO space for over a decade. I understand the need to constantly fundraise for the important work that we all do. I want to help in whatever way I can, and if it means hiking in the Drakensberg, then I am in,” shares an excited Catherine.

“Globally, we are facing geopolitical instability and increasing pressures on biodiversity – there is an urgent need for greater awareness around species and habitat loss and human-wildlife conflict. Through taking part in RPC, I am able to play a part in raising that awareness, and I am extremely grateful for this opportunity.”

What makes the Rhino Peak Challenge (RPC) truly unique isn’t the climb itself; it’s the conservation purpose behind every step.

Every ambassador commits to raising at least R20,000. These vital funds support critical conservation work, including rhino protection, bearded vulture and crane conservation, and the preservation of the Drakensberg mountain biodiversity and its water sources.

Catherine will also be joined by EWT’s CEO, Yolan Friedmann, and four other staff members in the challenge to help raise funds and support their shared mission to “Protect Forever, Together”.