Four Kiwis, including renowned All Black Ma’a Nonu made the most of their South Africa trip by visiting South African rugby player Joe Pietersen’s Nkombe Rhino Organisation for a dehorning operation.
Ma’a Nonu, Dan Pryor, Kara Pryor and Tom Franklin with the Nkombe team.
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The organisation supports and protects species including rhinos, wild dogs, elephants, cheetahs and lions – all of which are either endangered or critically endangered.
Ma’a Nonu, Dan Pryor, Kara Pryor and Tom Franklin were kitted out with the necessary bush clothing and thrown into the deep end, joining Nkombe’s ground team with the physical task of dehorning.
Ma’a Nonu, Dan Pryor, Kara Pryor and Tom Franklin in action.
‘The aim was to educate them on the plight of rhinos as well as the extreme measures that have to be taken in order to protect the species from poachers,’ Pietersen told Cape {town} Etc. The players were involved in the dehorning process of 21 rhinos in three days – a mammoth task.
The organisation has a big emphasis on rhino conservation, in particular. Of all the threats facing rhinos, poaching is the deadliest. Black rhinos have two horns which make them lucrative targets for the illegal trade. So, dehorning has become the number one way to prevent slaughter.
But the process costs money and involves a number of specialists throughout. Part of how Pietersen funds these rescue missions is through tourism and getting guests involved in the dehorning process.
The guys made the journey to a private reserve in the greater Kruger biosphere, ready to get dirty in the dust. Nonu spearheaded the trek, determined to shine a light on one of South Africa’s darkest realities. ‘These things are real, and they need our help,’ Dan Pryor reiterated.
‘This experience was as hands-on as it gets and the enthusiasm from them couldn’t have been more tangible,’ Pietersen said.
A big part of such a project is explaining what role the project serves in the greater protection of the species, in conjunction with other measures taken. In the end, forming a toolbox of different measures to protect a species.
Their aim is to pool resources through sustainable partnerships to better impact the conservation realm as a collective unit of like-minded organisations.
‘Our mission is to build lasting relationships with reserves to ensure effective partnerships, cutting out time spent on debating and focussing on implementation,’ Pietersen added.
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Get involved:
More than just a luxury holiday, embarking on a Conservation Safari with the Nkombe Rhino Organisation keeps projects like dehorning in action.
The experience merges comfort with reality, offering guests a world-class experience that’s matched with education and the opportunity to become part of the solution.
Get in touch to book your holiday with a purpose.
Donate:
Direct donations towards the Nkombe Rhino Organisation can be made here.
Pictures: Martin Meyer
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