Matobo Rhino Project
WHO WE ARE: Matobo Rhino Initiative, Zimbabwe.
WHY WE NEED YOU: To help stop the decline of rhino in Zimbabwe and across Africa, and to try and stop brutally cruel poaching rings.
HOW MANY PEOPLE WORK FOR OUR CHARITY: 5 Trustees/volunteers.
WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES:
- $500 / £333 helps the community scheme
- $300 / £200 can provide invaluable fence maintenance
- $200 / £133 can help with security patrols
FOR MORE INFO CONTACT US: +263 9 243954/246430
Rhino poaching started in Zimbabwe in 1990s, mainly in the north, in the Zambezi Valley. The Matopos also suffered losses. Translocation and poaching reduced the Matopos population by about half.
In a bid to assist Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) with their rhino protection effort, the Matobo Rhino Initiative Trust was formed in January 2013.
The fence project started in January 2013. $180,000 was raised through foreign and local donors and the 52km fence was completed in January 2015. Further assistance is required for the community scheme, fence maintenance and patrols.
In summary, the plan aimed to confine the rhino in a protection zone with high anti-poaching presence, which receives direct benefit from tourism involving the rhino. Poachers would need to pass through a non-supportive community to get to well-guarded rhino. If they did find a rhino, it would have no horn – a high risk to take for small reward.
Fence to protect part of Matopos National Park was completed in January 2015.
