Travel News: andBeyond Translocates Six Rhino from Phinda to Botswana
Travel News: andBeyond Translocates Six Rhino from Phinda to Botswana
andBeyond Translocates Six Rhino from Phinda to Botswana
In the first ever private game reserve donation of rhino, luxury experiential travel company &Beyond has earmarked six white rhino to be translocated from &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa to Botswana’s Okavango Delta in January 2013. Facilitated in partnership with RHINO FORCE, this conservation coup has been generously funded by lead sponsor, Motorite Administrators.
“South Africa lost well over 600 rhino to illegal poaching last year alone and Botswana currently has an excellent security system to protect the species. Translocations are fundamental to secure the ongoing survival of rhino for future generations,” says Les Carlisle, &Beyond Conservation Manager.
As one of southern Africa’s largest independent motor-related insurance administrators, Motorite supports this translocation to ensure the ongoing conservation of South Africa and Botswana’s natural heritage.
The Okavango Delta has proven to be a successful rhino relocation habitat and Botswana has a strong security and monitoring framework in place whereby the military helps to protect the species. “It’s the ideal opportunity for us to move our eggs out of one basket,” explains Carlisle. “The project has the full support of the Botswana Rhino Management Committee and we are thrilled to be driving such a vital initiative for rhino conservation in partnership with Motorite.”
After years of negotiation and planning, the translocation process will begin this month. Game scouts from Botswana will undergo intensive tracking and monitoring training at &Beyond Phinda, as they learn about white rhino behaviour in the Delta. Capture and release bomas have been built in South Africa and Botswana respectively, permits obtained and various conservation initiatives set in place to ensure that the six carefully selected rhino arrive at their destination safely.
In terms of veterinary regulations, the rhino will be quarantined at an isolated facility after capture, before being transported to the Okavango Delta. On arrival, the animals will be held in a specially prepared boma until local vets and land managers are confident that they have recovered from their journey. Telemetry units will also be fitted to the rhino during this time, to monitor their movements post release into the wild.
&Beyond has made a significant contribution to the protection of rhino over the past 22 years. This project, with the final release of the six rhino scheduled to take place in April 2013, highlights the company’s commitment to its core ethic of Care of the Land, Care of the Wildlife and Care of the People.
All profits from the sale of RHINO FORCE bracelets go to &Beyond’s social development partner, Africa Foundation (www.africafoundation.org.za) and are earmarked for projects focused on saving Africa’s rhino populations. Bracelets are sold in several retailers in South Africa and internationally through an e-commerce site. Visit www.rhinoforce.co.zato support the project or purchase online.
&Beyond guests can also purchase this beaded bracelet or a specially designed collector’s edition T-shirt at the lodge Safari Shops in South Africa and Botswana. All proceeds will go towards the rhino translocation.
To follow the exciting project and ongoing translocation updates, please follow &Beyond on Facebook or Twitter or log on to www.andBeyond.com and read Les’s blog, “Carlisle on Conservation” (www.andBeyond.com/carlisle_on_conservation).
Issued by: &Beyond
T: +27 11 809 4300; F: +27 11 809 4511
About &Beyond
&Beyond is one of the world’s leading experiential travel companies, designing personalised luxury safaris in 16 African countries, as well as India, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. The company also owns and operates 32 extraordinary lodges and camps in Africa and India’s wilderness highspots. Established in 1991, &Beyond takes exceptional care of its guests in order to make a difference; its commitment to sustainable responsible travel and community empowerment is world renowned.
About Motorite Administrators (Pty) Ltd
Motorite is the largest independent motor-related insurance administrator in southern Africa. Leaders in the administration and sales of warranty, maintenance and service plan products to the entire motor industry, Motorite offers unsurpassed levels of service and peace of motoring to its extensive customer base. Motorite places huge emphasis on uplifting the working and social environment of its community. By sponsoring &Beyond’s rhino translocation project, Motorite is playing an important role in ensuring the ongoing conservation of South Africa and Botswana’s natural heritage for future generations to come.
About RHINO FORCE
RHINO FORCE is a dynamic brand that creates international awareness and raises substantial funding for rhino conservation, through the sale of RHINO FORCE beaded bracelets. RHINO FORCE has a new-age conservation psychology and incorporates fundamental business principles to create commercial philanthropy. Through the design, development and activation of multiple retail, corporate and electronic market platforms, RHINO FORCE successfully achieves its call to action and offers great return on investment. Our mission is ‘Conservation through Commerce’, commercially known as ‘Save the Rhino…Buy a Bracelet’.
