WILDLANDS, a programme of the WILDTRUST, recently launched an online auction to raise funds for the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve anti-poaching unit.
This 12 000-hectare reserve which was formally proclaimed through the Land Reform process in 2005 by the local Gumbi community, has become one of the only community owned reserve success stories in South Africa.
The reserve has become known for its conservation focused ecosystem management and forward-thinking interventions to protect wildlife and species vulnerable to poaching and illegal trade.
With bids starting at only R5000, this proudly South African piece has over 55 000 genuine Swarovski crystals on it, covering a 27cm high, 41cm long and 16cm wide solid jesmonite black rhino sculpture.
The diamond-like magnificence of this artwork demonstrates the strength of the black rhino as well as its ever-growing fragility.
“With more than 5000 rhino being killed within our South African boarders over the past 5 years, we would like to appeal to all South Africans to place their bid with a purpose and help us save our rhino from total devastation. All funds generated from this auction will support the on-going anti-poaching and rhino conservation work at the Somkhanda Community Game Reserve,” comments WILDLANDS Deputy Director, Buyi Makhoba-Dlamini.
“The average monthly cost to keep our anti-poaching unit is R140 000. The costs linked to this include salaries for our rangers on the frontline, equipment (telemetry units, collars and trackers) and operational costs,” added Meiring Prinsloo, Somkhanda Reserve Manager.
The auction will be running for 2 weeks which will close on the 19th of June 2020 at midnight.
To place your bid, visit the auction page on Facebook. On the ‘Discussions’ tab on the page, write a post and enter the amount you want to offer.
Place your bid with purpose today and help us save our rhino by supporting the Somkhanda anti-poaching unit.
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