Knitters and crafters globally unite through “Blankets for Baby Rhinos,” providing warmth and support to orphaned rhinos while raising awareness and funds for wildlife conservation.
South Africa (21 April 2024) – As winter approaches, a heartwarming initiative is sweeping the globe, uniting crafters in a mission to provide warmth and comfort to orphaned baby rhinos.
The rallying cry for knitters and crochet enthusiasts has been sounded, and the response has been nothing short of extraordinary.
A recent post about the project titled “Blankets for Baby Rhinos” captured the imagination of people across South Africa, going viral and drawing attention to this noble cause. We reached out to the UK-based charity behind this heartening endeavour to learn more about the impactful work they are doing.
Blankets For Baby Rhinos is a remarkable craft conservation group dedicated to supporting wildlife orphanages and anti-poaching units. Their mission goes beyond just providing blankets; they use their creative talents to raise funds for essential equipment and animal feed for their beneficiaries. Moreover, the group extends its support to impoverished communities near wildlife reserves, educating locals about the significance of their native wildlife.
“We welcome knitters, crocheters and crafters to produce items that we can use as donations or sell/raffle to provide funds,” says the team. “Our closed Facebook group offers information and support for those eager to join. Members who may not craft contribute in many other valuable ways, from transportation to fundraising and graphic design. We are truly grateful for all the help we receive; this group thrives on collective effort.”
Co-founded in November 2016 by Elisa Best, Blankets For Baby Rhinos began with a modest goal: knitting squares to create blankets for a rhino orphanage in Natal. The caregivers had observed that orphaned rhinos, often victims of poaching, not only benefited from the warmth of the blankets but also found solace in them. This initiative also aimed to raise awareness about the global crisis facing rhinos.
The Facebook group quickly gained momentum, attracting over 4,500 members worldwide who volunteered to help manage and expand the group.
“While we continue to supply rhino orphanages with blankets, we also leverage our crafts to raise funds through sales, raffles, and auctions,” explains the team. “We provide blankets, beanies, and scarves to anti-poaching rangers in the KNP, private reserves, and orphanages, accompanied by messages of support that mean the world to those engaged in these challenging roles.”
In recognition of their impactful work, Blankets For Baby Rhinos received two awards from IFAW and one from Points of Light in 2019. Despite the accolades, the group remains humble and focused on their mission.
“We are all volunteers, and while we occasionally assist with transport costs, we strive to direct all funds towards helping wildlife directly. Our members cover the costs of their materials, crafting each item with love and care,” says the dedicated team.
Currently led by Elisa Best with support from a dedicated group of volunteers, Blankets For Baby Rhinos continues to make a difference, one stitch at a time. The organisation is entirely volunteer-based with no salaries or overheads, and people can join even if they don’t craft as long as they are willing to support us in some way.
So, if you would like to be part of this inspiring initiative, you can request to join their Facebook group, where you will be asked a short series of questions to get involved.
As we prepare for winter, let us remember the orphaned baby rhinos and zebras like Daisy and Modjaji from Care for Wild Rhino Sanctuary or little ellies like Khanyisa from HERD finding warmth and comfort, thanks to the lovingly crafted blankets from people around the globe.
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