Watch the story of one man’s mission to save the southern white rhino from extinction. It’s the story about Rockwood and how dedication can lead to the successful protection of rhino.
Northern Cape, South Africa (20 July 2020) – Every rhino death and birth is critical to the species survival. Rhino deaths outnumber births by thousands. Why? Rhino horn is falsely believed to be medicinal or, possibly worse, displayed as a symbol of wealth and status. Yet, rhino horn is made of keratin, making it comparable toenail clippings.
The false beliefs and growing intentional scarcity make rhino horn, pound for pound, more valuable than gold – fueling its illegal trade on the black market. At the same time, the actual value of the species is left to rot, swarmed by flies, under the African sun.
Rockwood’s ultimate goal is not to have to save the rhino at all.
Until then, they are dedicated to doing whatever it takes to ensure the continued survival of the species. That means using aggressive conservation to protect the rhinos we care for. While it’s a far cry from how they would live in the wild, free from human interference, it is their best chance in our current climate.
Established in 2013, Rockwood represents a new breed of rhino reserve. Facing the biggest threats to rhinos and other species, the ‘agriculture’, unchecked illegal poaching, and human apathy, Rockwood takes an aggressive conservation stance. When it comes to protecting wildlife, there is no room for half measures. Whatever the threat, we go above and beyond to safeguard species from those who would do them harm.
“At Rockwood, we take an aggressive conservation stance. We do what we must, and what others can’t, to protect the natural environment from exploitation and degradation.”
They utilise the latest thermal surveillance, security cameras and mobile camera traps which are monitored 24 hours a day from Rockwood’s Operation Centre. Security stations are manned round the clock by their highly-trained and well-equipped mounted rangers. Their rangers also monitor the health and behaviour of their rhino population.
And the conservation has just celebrated five years without a single Rhino Poaching incident.
Watch the video below: