Since it’s inception on 2013, Rockwood Conservation has implemented combative methods to protect and preserve the southern white rhino. In July 2014, the first rhino at Rockwood was poached. It was also the first rhino to be poached in the Northern Cape province. This set the tone for the future of the conservation reserve.
‘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,’ says Rockwood Conservation’s website.
The conservation has 300 rhinos in their care and on July 5, the team celebrated their 5th year without a poaching incident.
Rockwood attributes their success not only to the dedicated individuals who work around the clock to protect and monitor these animals but also to their sponsors. The reserve is dependent on donations to keep their conservation work going.
‘Rockwood’s ultimate goal, is to not have to save the rhino at all,’ says the reserve. ‘Until then, we’re 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.’
To find out more about the conservation work being done at Rockwood, watch the video below.
If you want to find out how to donate to Rockwood Conservation, click here.
Image credit: Unsplash
