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1. Don’t miss: Secret Safari – Into the Wild on Channel 4, Tuesday 26 January 2021 at 8pm

   Posted on 9:00pm Monday 25th Jan 2021

   Imagine 13,000 animals across 90,000 acres of wilderness in Kenya! Well, Secret Safari – Into the Wild is heading off to just that, on Channel 4 on Tuesday 26 January 2021 at 8pm! This programme visits the Ol Pejeta reserve.  It’s home to animals such as hippos, rhinos, elephants, cocktail ants and crowned cranes.  The programme tells the life and death stories of the animals through the rangers who protect them. The first programme includes a pride of lionesses left hungry when their alpha hunter vanishes, a crane romance and the birth of a critically endangered rhino.  There are six programmes in the series.  Andrew Scott is the narrator. Ol Pejeta is home to two of the world’s last remaining northern white rhinos.   It’s a sanctuary for over 110 critically endangered black rhinos.  Highly trained rhino protection squads are employed by the Conservancy, which partners with international veterinary experts.   Data is frequently gathered on each animal.   The Conservancy is a role model for rhino conservation in East Africa.   Help safeguard rhinos by making a donation at Global Giving Image © Ol Pejeta Find out about rhinos at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy Visit the Ol Pejeta Conservancy website here. Ol Pejeta is also home to the Sweetwaters Chimpanzee Sanctuary.   It was established through agreement between the conservancy, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the Jane Goodall Institute to provide lifelong refuge to orphaned and abused chimpanzees from West and Central Africa.  Currently there are 36 chimpanzees there, all getting a chance to start over.   Ol Pejeta's mission (and I quote) is: To conserve wildlife, provide a sanctuary for great apes and to generate income through wildlife tourism and complementary enterprise for reinvestment in conservation and communities. and their vision is (and again I quote): To become an innovative and sustainable development model that conserves biodiversity (particularly endangered species) and contributes to economic growth and the improvement of livelihoods in rural communities. You can be a part of this journey and make a difference to wildlife by supporting Ol Pejeta's work. So let's introduce Helping Rhinos who partner Ol Pejeta: Ways to help: Spread the word Donate to the Global Giving campaign, Safeguarding Ol Pejeta’s Rhino Populations, either a one off donation or a monthly one There are other ways to help here - you could become a rhino guardian and donate monthly Head off to Helping Rhinos who partner Ol Pejeta.  Though Helping Rhinos and their adoption centre, you can adopt a rhino, or adopt an anti-poaching dog, or adopt a ranger to help Ol Pejeta look after wildlife.  Visit their adoption centre here. Adopt an Anti-Poaching Dog Image ©Helping Rhinos

    

2. Rhinos de-horning operation to save this endangered species

   Posted on 2:00pm Sunday 17th May 2020

   On 16 May, the UK’s Daily Telegraph brought news of an amazing secret operation to dehorn hundreds of African rhinos. They are all threatened by increased poaching during the pandemic. Over the next two weeks, up to 400 black and white rhinos will have their horns removed to protect them from poachers.  About 70 have been dehorned so far  The rhinos are dehorned with electric saws.  They are sedated.  The horns grow back in about 3 years.    The exact location in Africa is secret at the moment.  There is an enormous risk to the team of vets and rangers and the last thing anyone wants is for poachers to find out their whereabouts, for the safety of all concerned, people and animals. The Aspinall Foundation and rescue organisation Rhino 911 are involved.    Rhino horn can trade for tens of thousands of pounds a kilo.  It is used in medicine and as a status symbol. This really is a last resort;  because tourists have stopped visiting as the coronavirus brought lockdown into being, poachers have stepped up to do more poaching.   De-horning is a last resort but the situation is critical for rhinos Once removed, the horns are photographed and taken by armed guard to a secure vault where they are categorised. Never should we look back and say "I should have helpd them when I had the chance."  Unknown (from Rhino 911's website) Visit Rhino 911’s website here.  You can donate to Rhino 911 to help.  Donations help in three ways: Treating rhinos and transporting them if they  have injuries or need surgery;  De-horning rhinos, which has been shown to be one of the most effective ways to deter poachers from harming and killing rhinos;  Rescuing rhinos;  many are treated for injuries and airlifted to one of many rhino orphanages that Rhino 911 works with.  Plus, of course donations are given to the orphanages so that they can buy the special formula milk every growing rhino needs! There’s a video you can watch at but carries a warning that some parts of it may be disturbing to some viewers. Visit Rhino 911’s facebook page Keep safe, everyone involved. Images copyright to Rhino 911

    

3. Please see this video from Gravitas - how nature is reclaiming its spaces due to the Coronavirus

   Posted on 2:00pm Friday 10th Apr 2020

   Sometimes you see something on the internet or on television that really hits you hard and makes a point extremely well. I saw this video, this afternoon, and I wanted to share it with you.  Please share it with everyone you can. The ultimate message is that we SHARE this planet.  It demonstrates how dominant the human race has become - and how selfish.   I am not going to tell you anymore about it - please just watch it for yourself.   Here it is: Thank you, Gravitas. Please vow to make a difference today.  Find out how to reduce your impact on the earth's resources here.

4. Save Sumatran Rhinos from extinction in Indonesia

   Posted on 10:00pm Tuesday 31st Dec 2019

   Care2.com have a petition asking the Indonesian government to save Sumatran Rhinos from extinction and they need your voice to add strength to their cause.   Sumatran rhinos are extinct - all except for in Indonesia.  80 of them are left there and the species urgently needs your voice.  Poachers, habitat loss and their own low birth rate has reduced their numbers to such an extent that it will be nearly impossible for them to find a mate and breed, experts believe. If the rhinos are to survive in Indonesia, the government there must make saving them a priority, and in so doing, they need to work with the Malaysian government.   The Indonesian government must make a public commitment to save the Sumatran Rhino and work with Malaysia to help save these wonderful animals. Please sign the petition and tell Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo and the Ministry of the Environment to take action now. PLEASE SIGN THIS PETITION HERE

    

5. Rhino horn belongs only to rhinos

   Posted on 9:00pm Wednesday 11th Sep 2019

   Do you agree with the statement: Rhino horn belongs only to rhinos? If you do agree with it, please sign the African Wildlife Foundaton’s pledge, saying “Rhion horn belongs only to rhinos”.  World Rhino Day takes place on 22 September, and the AWF says we must make one thing clearer than ever:  Rhino horns are not for sale. Let’s make it very clear: Rhino horns do not cure cancer or hangovers or any ailments. But the demand for rhino horn is there, as people believe it has medicinal benefits and is a symbol of high social status. Rhino horn is made of keratin – as human nails are – and it is as effective as curing cancer as chewing on your fingernails is. RHINO HORN BELONGS ON A RHINO. There are less than 6,000 critically endangered black rhinos left.  Unfortunately, poachers, traffickers and consumers don’t care.   We must stop them. Please give rhinos your support on this World Rhino Day.   Join one of 50,000 wildlife advocates and fight for these rhinos. Sign the AWF’s pledge if you agree that rhino horn belongs on a rhino.