was indeed a gift to the reserve. His mother was
introduced to the reserve and unbeknown to us, was
pregnant. The birth of Isipho took us all by surprise. He
was 5 years old when poached and could have
contributed significantly as a breeding bull.
FACE-2-FACE with
RAGES Consultant
Brent Cook
Chipembere Rhino Foundation
Another of our rhino “Geza” meaning “the naughty
one” in Xhosa, was symbolic in being the 1st rhino birth
on the reserve. He was later sold on to another reserve
where he was barbarically poached in February 2011
and was found staggering around alive. An account of
this horrific incident was recorded by CRF trustee, Dr
William Fowlds in his publication “Poached” and this
incident forever committed Dr Fowlds life to the rhino.
These rhino are sorely missed by all who had the
pleasure in sharing in their lives. Adamant that their
deaths were not in vain, CRF is committed to
remembering them through this very foundation.
Why is it so important to help protect the African
Rhino?
1Founder of Chipembere Rhino Foundation, Brent Cook
When did your personal interest in Rhino start?
Growing up KZN with the Hluhluwe–iMfolozi Park on our
doorstep and home of Operation Rhino in the 60’s, we
spent many family holidays there and this area boasts
the 2nd largest population of southern white rhino in the
world.
Later, we ended up moving to the Eastern Cape where
an opportunity arose to buy land on a reserve. We
were able to buy rhino and began breeding them
there.
Why did you start the foundation and tell us more
about the name “Chipembere”
The foundation was established in November 2010
after we lost 2 White Rhino bulls to poaching, Chippy,
our main breeding bull, and Isipho. This tragic event
was the catalyst to us structuring our conservation
efforts into one organization that could assist with the
protection and preservation of rhino in Africa.
The name Chipembere has its roots in Africa. The word
“Chipembere” means “White Rhinoceros” in Shona.
Shona along with Ndebele is a principle language of
Zimbabwe.
The common thread in the names Chip(py) and
Chip(embere) made complete sense as the name for
the foundation and through this association Chippy will
forever be remembered.
The other poached bull, Isipho, meaning “gift” in Xhosa,
Rhinos have roamed the earth for over 50-million
years, they are an iconic species and one of the
World’s greatest conservation success stories when
saved from near extinction once before. Africa is home
to more than 90% of the planet’s rhino population. If
we cannot save the rhino what hope is there for the
lessor recognised species?
Poaching levels have reached crisis point and should
they continue escalating as they are, our rhino could
face extinction. As it stands, the African rhino have
been classified as critically endangered (the Black) and
near threatened (the White).
They are one of the species that makes Africa truly
unique therefore contributing to the expanding tourism
industry in Africa. The tourism industry contributes
significantly to the economy and as an employment
creator for many African countries.
What are the biggest threats to Rhinos?
Humans, from human greed to human apathy.....
Is rhino poaching a crisis and why?
Yes, it is a crisis.
The population figures vary depending on who you
consult but the most common figures supported are that
there are approx 4,800 Black Rhino and 20,700
White Rhino. South Africa is home to approximately
90% of this remaining population.
In Asia, there are approx 2,450 Greater-One-Horned
Rhino, between 150-200 Sumatran and between 2845 Javan rhino left!
We have seen a surge in rhino poaching in South Africa
since 2008:
From 2000 until 2007, a total of 120 rhino were
poached. Then, we saw a massive acceleration in 2008
that continues unabated:
2008:
2009:
2010:
2011:
2012:
2013:
83 rhino
122 rhino
333 rhino
448 rhino
668 rhino
1,004 rhino
With 2013 poaching stats passing the 1000-rhino
poached mark we can conclude that we are on the
brink of a “tipping” point. This means that we are
about to lose more rhino than what are been born. The
gestation period for a rhino is aprox. 16 months. The
interval between calving can be 3-4 years depending
on conditions.
Then, the complexity of illegal wildlife trade and the
intricacies of the web of criminality involved from
corrupt governments, law enforcement, reserve staff
and down to the desperate unemployed population to
the syndicates and kingpins all make rhino poaching
very hard to stop!
Thanks to a growing middle class in end user countries,
more and more people are able to afford what is
accentually illegally obtained rhino horn, and the demand
is escalating. According to experts, only the trade in drugs
and illegal arms now rivals the illegal wildlife trafficking
market for profit and exploitation.
We have lost 146+ rhino so far in 2014.
How do we stop rhino poaching and how does CRF
help?
We believe that there is no “silver” bullet to saving this
species – a multi-pronged approach is needed that
includes protection, gathering intelligence that feeds to
a greater network that creates a safer and better
protected environment for rhino, global awareness &
education, trans-locations to safer areas and countries
and reducing the demand for rhino horn. The judicial
system needs to be brought in line to ensure that
maximum sentences are given to all role players in
poaching syndicates and government needs to become
more active in the fight against the illegal wildlife
trade.
As an NGO run by volunteers CRF specialises in
continuously sourcing, testing and funding the right
technology for effective and meaningful monitoring of
rhino and providing the anti-poaching teams with the
necessary equipment to give them the support they
need on the ground.
The equipment we provide plays a pivotal role in the
day to day monitoring and protection of Rhino
populations in large natural areas. This technology and
equipment allows for the Monitoring and Anti-Poaching
units to be close at hand to the rhino they protect and
have the necessary tools to complete their duty in a
hostile environment.
Why do private rhino owners need financial
assistance to protect their rhino? And does the
foundation assist any of the national parks?
Most private rhino owners in South Africa did not
budget in having a para-military type element to
protecting their rhino when they got behind the
conservation of rhino, since the 60’s poaching had not
been a real threat up until 2008. The financial strain to
protect rhino is forcing many rhino owners to sell their
rhino. In an ideal world, all rhino should be monitored
24-7 to ensure their protection but the reality is not
many can afford it without outside assistance.
Yes, CRF does assist with a national park based in the
Eastern Cape.
Tell us more about what the foundation does and
some of the projects you are currently busy with?
VHF COLLARING: this is an on-going project in the
Eastern Cape, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal. We
have already collared over 70 rhino. Currently, we
have had to refurbish 6 collars in Jan/Feb and have
donated a further 7 – equating to an approx R27k
donation.
GPS SATELLITE COLLARS: 6 Botswana rhino translocated to the Delta last year will be receiving new
collars in April - an R77k donation
GROUND TO AIR RADIOS: Four units donated to
Shamwari, Lalibela, Pumba and local SAPS task team –
an approx R16k donation
DEVELOPMENT OF CRF MERCHANDISE: Bushstraps
has come on board and we have invested R6k in
merchandise to sell to raise funds.
TECHNOLOGY: Visited Pretoria with the company that
supplies our tracking devices for the Rhino. Some great
new technology is coming out that we will trial at 2
large reserves in the Eastern Cape beginning March.
SPECIALISED EQUIPMENT: CRF purchased specialised
equipment that has been loaned to the HAWKS in the
Eastern Cape to assist with their rhino investigation
work – an approx R17k donation.
DISTRIBUTION OF RATIONS: CRF turned a R3.5k
monetary donation from SuperSpar into rations for
anti-poaching units. These were distributed to 3 private
reserves and 1 provincial park to supplement their
current rations for foot patrol teams.
LONG RANGE ANTENAE: Delivery of 2 long range
antennae for the anti-poaching and monitoring team
we support in Botswana – an approx donation of R2.3k
TRACKING DOG PROJECT: we are working on a joint
venture with Mastertons Coffee in Port Elizabeth.
TEAMWORK FOR OUR RHINO (L-F):
Kenton Rotarians, Bruce & Pippa Steele-Gray, Dr William Fowlds
from Investec Rhino Lifeline and trustee of CRF, Kenton Rotarian and
CRF Volunteer Jo Wilmot, Kenton Rotarian and CRF Volunteer
Warren Manser and CRF Founder, Brent Cook.
How
can we as Rotarians help save Rhino?
The following are items that are in CRF’s Rhino
International Survival Kit (RISK box) that YOUR club
could help sponsor:
* General Anti-Poaching Equipment (HELP PROTECT
THE PROTECTORS):
Uniforms
USD100
Boots
USD100
Bullet Proof Vests
USD450
Torches
USD60
Vehicle Handheld Spotlights
USD100
Binoculars
USD270
Handheld GPS
USD320
Hydration Backpack
USD160
* Monitoring Equipment for RHINO PROTECTION:
VHF Tracking collar
USD250
VHF Horn implant
USD200
GPS Satellite collar
USD2100
Handheld VHF Receiver
USD750
Antennae Short Range (compact)
USD250
Antennae Long Range
USD150
Ground to Air Handheld Radios
USD370
Handheld Infared Thermal Imaging camera USD6400
Camera Traps with Realtime MMS & Infrared Black Flash USD580
Helicopter Surveillance Flight (per hour)
USD450
* Some of the examples of donated items. Firearms etc. are excluded. Prices
Brent Cook from CRF fitting a VHF tracking collar to a darted rhino
are estimate based on variable exchange rate $/Rand
CALLING ROTARIANS WORLDWIDE:
C - Create a partnership with CRF
H - Highlight the success of action & collaboration
I - Introduce CRF to potential donors
P -For
Provide
supplies
for theplease
anti-poaching
rangers
further
information,
contact Jo
E - Wilmot
Educatefrom
others
on
the
plight
of
the
Rhino
the Rotary Club of Kenton:
M -jo@rooting4rhino.com
Motivate others to action
or jo@root72.co.za
B -Bring attention to the rhino’s plight via social media
E - www.chipembere.org
Educate others on the myths of the Rhino Horn
R -www.rotarykenton.co.za
Reach out and get involved.
E - Explore the latest projects at www.chipembere.org