ABOUT SAVE THE WATERBERG RHINO
Save the Waterberg Rhino is a local, grass roots, not-for-profit NGO, based in the Waterberg, Limpopo in South Africa. We focus on fundraising, and supporting all those involved with saving and protecting rhino.
We work with many various stakeholders to identify needs, raise funds, provide equipment and help set up and fund security enhancements for the area that contribute to protecting rhino.
Founded
hectare covered
sanparks National Park
Many
RHINO,
RESERVES
hISTORY OF SAVE THE WATERBERG RHINO
STWR was started in 2012 when two rhinos were poached on a
private reserve.
CORE PROJECTS & MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS
R 5 million spent directly on security equipment and infrastructure
Start up work for the creation
of Waterberg Security
Initiative
vision
To create and support a safe haven for rhino in the Waterberg, where rhinos can thrive in safety, rhino numbers can increase through breeding and wildlife reserves can invest in rhino again to create more space for this majestic and important species for South Africa and the world.
mission
The protection of rhinos and their habitats against poaching activities in the Waterberg.
location
Covering two million ha conservation region within Waterberg District of Limpopo, South Africa.
aims & objectives
Security – to enhance general security in
the Waterberg, whereby rhino security and
security of communities are increased.
Awareness – to promote awareness locally
and internationally about the rhino
poaching crisis.
What Save the Waterberg Rhino is doing:
- Working with role-players and providing funds to help combat poaching and the illegal trade in rhino horn.
- Helping to increase security measures in protected areas and expand that protection through community based
approaches. - Creating networks to maximise protection of rhino through sharing of information, expertise and resources as well as emergency security groups that help rhino owners, landowners and community members in emergency situations.
- Increasing confidence by creating safety and support systems for rhino owners so they do not have to disinvest in rhino by selling them.
- Promoting wildlife-based tourism that provides funds to conserve wildlife, creates jobs and brings income to local
communities who live alongside wildlife. - Creating and promoting awareness of the rhino poaching crisis.
- Providing and creating focus on environmental education of rhinos to increase knowledge and understanding locally of why rhinos are important and why wildlife crime needs to stop.
What makes us different:
Funds raised are provided to well-known and connected partners that STWR works with. STWR is a grassroots organisation, set up and managed by local people that are/ or were connected with rhino conservation, with a large network of locally based stakeholders that create locally based solutions to the rhino crisis.
Compared to international rhino charities and organisations, based overseas, members of STWR Board, staff and stakeholders have the privilege to see rhinos on a daily basis, but we have also felt the direct loss and pain of poached rhinos as rhino owners, reserve managers or through friends and neighbours who have lost rhinos from poaching. Rhinos are highly intelligent mammals, and while wild animals many individuals are well known and have their own unique personalities and their losses are felt dearly.
CREATING A VAST AREA
TO KEEP RHINO SAFE