RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos 2017 Info Pack

Ride for Rhinos 2017

INFO PACK

24 - 28 JUNE 2017

The tour of a lifetime Hello and welcome to the RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos!

We are so glad that you could join us on this amazing adventure into the Namibian wilderness! Together we will assist Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) in their colossal task to save Namibia’s black rhino population.

By this time you surely know that the goal of the tour is not only to raise funds for SRT, but also to raise awareness about their efforts and difficulties. SRT operates in a remote, rugged area of more than a million hectares – with few fences, no national park status and no controls over who goes in or out. For the past thirty years, SRT has patrolled the area and the rhino population has rebounded from the point of near extinction to a level that all Namibians can be proud of.

There is no time for complacency. Organised crime syndicates are here, targeting our rhinos. SRT is intensifying its efforts in the face of this threat. We have all become part of the fight to save the rhino!

Some Logistics... ̱ The tour takes place from 24 to 28 June 2017, with the 24th being a 'travel to' day and the 28th a 'travel back' day, in the Palmwag Concession area north of the Palmwag veterinary gate in the Kunene Region.

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Riders will make their own way to Damaraland. The group will meet up at Wêreldsend. See directions and map attached.

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If you are willing to give a fellow rider a lift north or need a lift for yourself and your bicycle, please let the tour organisers know so that everyone does not have to travel all the way by themselves. You can contact Elzanne directly at 081 367 3583 or elzanne@travelnewsnamibia.com, or have a chat with your fellow riders. Cars will be securely parked at Wêreldsend for the duration of the trip.

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See the packing lists in this information pack for detailed instructions.

Itinerary 24 JUNE: Arrive at Wêreldsend at a time of your choosing. We will spend the first night of the tour camping here, getting to know one another and prepping for the adventure to come. Vehicles can be left here.

25 JUNE: The cyclists depart from Wêreldsend on the first leg of their journey, into the Palmwag Conservancy.

The day's cycle will cover a distance of approximately 42 km, with a climb of 360 meters. The first day's cycle will take the group from Wêreldsend to Ride for Rhinos Basecamp following a series of Jeep and single track trails. Lunch will be served at basecamp. The afternoon is set aside for a game drive and rhino tracking.

26 JUNE: On the second leg of the tour, the cyclists will complete a loop trail covering a distance of 38 km with a climb of 368 m. The trail will pass by several springs ideal for spotting game. Some fast downhill game trails can be expected. Water (or beer) stops will be set up along the way.

An optional cycle or game drive is set out for the afternoon. This is a social ride, accompanied by vehicles and regular 'beer stops'. Expected time: 2 - 3 hours. SRT rangers will accompany us or be in the vicinity for possible rhino sightings.

27 JUNE: The third day of the tour takes the cyclists on a 36 km trek over the rugged terrain back to Wêreldsend.

From here we will travel to Wilderness Safaris' Damaraland Camp. Cyclists can decide whether they want to make this journey by bicycle or with their vehicle. For those choosing to cycle, crew members will be available to transfer your vehicle to the lodge for you. Lunch will be served at Damaraland Camp.

The afternoon is set out for rhino tracking and game drives in the area. The evening will be spent at the lodge having a wonderful party to end off the tour on a high note!

28 JUNE: An early morning ride of 27 km is set out for those who are keen for one last stretch, otherwise you can enjoy a leisurely morning and breakfast at Damarland Camp. From here Ride for Rhino adventurers can make their way back home, hopefully with a smile on their face and a heart full of warm memories of a wonderful Namibian mountain-biking adventure, already excited for next year’s tour!

Some Maps Days 1-3 MTB Routes.

Basecamp is located where the blue and red lines meet.

Day 1: Start WĂŞreldsend.

Total distance: 42,2 km Single Track: +- 20km Jeep track: 22km Elevation gain: 366 m Sections of open plains and rocky slopes in places.

A few technical climbs and descents.

Single track between rocks in some areas.

Day 2: Start R4R Basecamp Total distance: 38,4 Km Elevation gain: 368 m Lots of single track to start out with.

Quite a fun fast game trail ride down to the halfway point.

Day 3: Start R4R Basecamp Total distance: 36.5 km Elevation gain: 455 m

Day 4: Start Damaraland Camp Total distance: 27.4 km Elevation gain: 466 m

What to pack We will provide all food, drinks and camping gear you might need, but be sure to bring the following along: ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱

Daywear and warmer clothes for the evenings (Please note that desert temperatures can get low at night) Riding shoes and hiking shoes - athletic shoes, lightweight hiking boots, or trail running shoes with a sturdy sole work well (in case we need to set off after the rhinos on foot).

Socks - enough for each day’s ride Biking tights/equivalent Biking shorts Riding gloves Riding jerseys/T-shirts (we will supply you with one tour cycling shirt) Windbreaker/light jacket Hydration pack (Camelbak) Cycling gear (Please remember all helmets, shoes, gloves etc.)

Personal medicines Camera Insect repellent Binoculars Sunglasses Hat and sunscreen Towel

MTB Technical Brief from CYMOT: CYMOT in conjunction with SCOTT are proud to offer you the technical service back-up for the RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos. In order for you to prepare adequately for the event, we strongly advise you to take along the following/ensure that your bike has: ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱ ̱

Tubeless tires with a recent slime top-up Recent lube service At least 2 quick links A set of plugs and tools CO2 cartridges (bombs) One slime tube (optional) Camelbak / water bottles

CYMOT furthermore offers a free of charge lube service to all participants' bikes prior to the event. Please schedule an appointment with Mario Katzur at 061 / 295-7474. Should you not bring your bike for the lube service, please feel free to advise Mario what components are on your bike. We will take along the most common components, but obviously cannot cater for all circumstances. To be on the safe side, please drop Mario a mail at MKatzur@cymot.com. All spares fitted during the tour will be billed after the event.

Our goal We sincerely hope that you are as excited as we are for this amazing experience. Damaraland truly is a spectacular area of Namibia and this adventure is a remarkable chance to explore the environment in which SRT operates on a daily basis.

The aim of the tour is to raise both funds and awareness for Save the Rhino Trust Namibia. Any contribution in the form of sponsorship from either yourself or your company will thus go towards attaining this goal. To contribute further to the RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos initiative in support of Save the Rhino Trust, you can contact Elzanne Erasmus at elzanne@travelnewsnamibia.com directly, or visit our website at www.rideforrhinos.com.na. Here you will find banking details for Save the Rhino Trust. Please be sure to use the reference Ride for Rhinos when making a donation.

How to get there Windhoek Get on Western Bypass from Bach street and Florence Nightingale (4 min - 1.8 km) Drive from B1 and C39 to Kunene Region (5h 21 min - 587 km) Slight right (4 min - 2.2 km)

Wereldsend

Some photos from our 2017 Recce...

Get excited!!!

From the Summer 15/16 issue of

Travel News Namibia

ROUGHING IT PUSHING THE LIMITS FOR A SPECIES ON THE BRINK Text Elzanne Erasmus Main photographs Chris Botha

FOR RHINOS

What do you do when something as important as an entire species is standing at the edge of a cliff ready to tumble at any given second? Do you stand by and watch or do you rally, roar, riot, rush, run and ride to save them?

T

here are less than 5000 black rhinos left in the world. The Kunene Region of north-western Namibia is home to the largest free-roaming rhino population on earth. The harsh landscape and increase in poaching has placed their survival under imminent threat. With organized crime syndicates causing numbers to dwindle, the protection of these rare and majestic creatures is of crucial importance. They aren’t as tough as their skin makes them seem. They’re not bulletproof or immune to torture. This is their last true stronghold. Their bunker. And it’s under attack.

THE FACTS During the 1970s an increase in poaching and a period of severe drought lead to a steep decline in the desert-adapted species of the region, including the black rhino. As there were no anti-poaching systems in place at the time and conservation efforts in the region were negligible to nonexistent, the population of black rhinos reached a drastic and dangerous low. And so, in 1982, in an effort to save the species from the brink of extinction, Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) was created. The trust applied an unconventional but effective method of anti-poaching. They hired the poachers!

By employing members of the community who were believed to be

at the forefront of the poaching activities and providing them with more secure livelihoods by working as wildlife guards, SRT enjoyed tremendous success. Today, after 30 years of interminable efforts, the black rhino population has rebounded, but the threat has never completely subsided and criminal organisations are once again on the move, back with a vengeance.

At the forefront of this never-ending fight are the SRT rangers, teams of five individuals who track and monitor rhino behaviour and movement and whose presence acts as a poaching deterrent. Five such teams work in shifts of 21 days to cover an area of more than one million hectares, from the northern bank of the Ugab River, all the way to the Kunene River on the border with Angola in the north. An almost impossible task. Rangers are equipped with no more than they can physically carry. Though water and food supplies are replenished every 4-5 days, the rangers must survive the unforgiving climate of Damaraland, with temperatures often reaching way above 40°C, for three weeks on end. Though one of the members of each team is a member of NAMPOL and carries a weapon, the dangers of encountering ruthless armed poachers are all too real. A tough job done by tough men in order to save a vital slice of Namibia’s natural legacy.

But why do they have to do it alone?

André de Jager

RIDE FOR RHINOS

A CALL TO ACTION The sun was still low on the horizon as they made their way over a rocky hill. Despite the early hour, temperatures were already reaching the mid-30s and a smouldering day was imminent in this wild corner of the world. They pedalled forth through the October heat, over rock-strewn foothills and thick river sand, back towards the campsite, where they would savour the shade and cold beverages and tend to the scrapes and bruises sustained along the day’s route.

So there they were, 20 mountain-bikers in the harsh desert heat and inhospitable environment of the Palmwag Concession in Damaraland, calmly discussing self-healing bicycle tyres, upcoming races and what not. They were there for a number of reasons. They were on a cycling safari through the beautiful and enigmatic natural environs of Damaraland. They were there to test their mountain-biking prowess. They were there to meet new people and make friends. They were there to have fun. But most of all, they were there to make a contribution and play their part in the fight to save Namibia’s rhinos.

On October 24th, 2015 the group of 20 mountain-biking and conservation enthusiasts set off on a 4-day cycle safari with a crew of 15.

The goal of the tour was to help raise awareness of the struggles faced by SRT in their efforts to protect the black rhino in the Kunene Region as well as to raise funds with which to purchase a new vehicle to use in their rhino protection endeavours. The riders came from all walks of life, different business backgrounds and most had never met before.

DID YOU KNOW? 95% of the desert subspecies of black rhino known as Diceros bicornis bicornis are found within Namibia’s borders.

BOUNCING BACK

Between 1970 and 1992, the black rhino population suffered a 96% decrease, with total numbers dipping as low as around 2,400. Today, thanks to on-going conservation efforts and the wildly successful Rhino Custodian Programme established by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, the species has been saved from near extinction.

The RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos cycle tour was the culmination of months of planning and hard work and the collaboration of like-minded proudly Namibian companies, who each recognised the need for action from community members who are not normally involved in conservation activities. The idea for the ride was the brainchild of the team at Venture Publications and came from the realisation that, though we have been partnering with Save the Rhino Trust through our magazines for more than 20 years, we had never been able to assist in any tangible way except writing about them and creating awareness. Something needed to be done to rally the right group of people - people who had influence in Namibian society, people who had access to resources and were willing to help bring about change. We knew we weren’t going to be able to do it alone and contacted the leaders in each field. Logistical assistance was supplied by Wilderness Safaris, who manage the concession area. They supplied vehicles and guides, and set up a rugged bush camp in what seemed like the middle of nowhere. With a fantastic financial contribution that covered tour costs, RMB Namibia jumped on board as the tour’s name sponsor. CYMOT Namibia contributed

WHITE OR BLACK? WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A WHITE AND BLACK RHINO: White rhinos are usually larger then black rhinos and have a more pronounced hump on the back of their necks. Their eating habits differ, as white rhinos are grazers whereas black rhinos are browsers and prefer to feed from bushes and trees. This distinction leads to a number of different physical traits: black rhinos have smaller heads and a hooked front lip which helps them feed off branches, white rhinos have a wide front lip which is perfect for grazing on grass.

DID YOU KNOW? There are only four northern white rhinos left in the world, only one of which is male. This male is unfortunately past its reproductive age. Is this the end of a species?

Do not speak of a rhino when there is no tree nearby – African Proverb

cycling products, T-shirts and technical MTB support. Dr Werner du Plessis joined to tend to bumps and bruises and last, but certainly not least, were Miguel and Samuel, our two extraordinary chefs from Namibia Exclusive, who forever changed our perceptions of what can and can’t be cooked on an open fire in the middle of the wilderness.

A FEAST OF A TIME Venison steak with red wine sauce, dark chocolate mousse, lamb on the spit, crème brulée, a whole lot of different potatoes and the cherry on top: Chef Miguel’s torta frita, or fried cake. As impossible as it may seem, two men in pristine chef’s whites, toque and all, made these dishes, and many more, on a braai in the middle of the bush. Paired with wines from Rust en Vrede, Guardian Peak, Neuras and Beyerskloof and some exceptionally good company around

the campfire meant each evening at the Ride for Rhinos camp was truly special.

Days spent on the mountain-bike, over rough terrain and technically difficult tracks, yielded passionate discussion from the riders each evening. The landscape was stunningly beautiful, the nature pristine and their saddleback safari through the Damaraland wilderness was a life-changing experience. Elephant, zebra and gemsbok made for wonderful companions along the routes. Each water stop, or rather Windhoek Lager stop, turned into animated debates on who fell where and how hard or who spent more time pushing their bike than on the actual saddle. When they weren’t on their bikes, laughter was the only sound that interrupted the serene landscape, replaced by some loud snores from one or two tents late at night…

AndrĂŠ de Jager

Chefs Miguel and Samuel demonstrates that there is no limit to the extravagant possibilties on the menu, even in the bush...

RHINO HORN FACT FILE: •

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Black rhino have two horns, which grow continually from the skin at their base throughout their life (like human fingernails).

Rhinos from different areas can have horns of different shapes, and sizes also vary.

The shape of the horn also differs between sexes: males tend to have thicker horns, while females often have longer and thinner ones.

The horn consists of thousands of compressed hair-like strands of keratin which make it extremely hard and tough, but it can be broken or split during fighting.

The front (anterior) horn is longer than the rear (posterior) horn, averaging at around 50 cm long.

At night, when the dust, and sometimes blood, of the day’s adventures had been washed off, the group was joined by the most important members of the initiative, the SRT rangers. Around the soft glow of the campfire they told us of their adventures, and misadventures, and also of their reality. They told of 21 days spent in the harsh Namibian sun, following these prehistoric creatures and keeping track of where their spoor crossed with that of an intruder’s.

These campfire talks unveiled the truth. They unveiled facts and figures and harsh realities of community involvement in the poaching syndicates and a fight that sometimes seems futile. When your terrain is inaccessible and your community unreliable, the task comes to seem impossible.

The men and women sitting around the campfire listening intently had spent four days exerting themselves through this rough and rugged terrain. They now understood the difficulty first-hand, and it wasn’t long before the first promise of aid was made, with many more the follow. If the idea of the tour was to immerse ourselves completely, and to simulate what these rangers have to endure on a daily basis, I think we succeeded.

After four days of pedalling through the searing heat, camping in the dust and altogether roughing it for rhinos, we understood the tremendous task at hand.

RIDE FOR RHINOS

DID YOU KNOW?

The description white rhino is the result of a linguistic error in which the original Afrikaans name for the subspecies was wyd-lip renoster aka wide-lipped rhino. The Afrikaans wyd sounding similar to the English word “white” caused this lost-in-translation animal to be named the white rhino.

Accordingly, its counterpart was named the black rhino.

Their names have nothing to do with their colour.

Save the Rhinos Trust's new ride: a Toyota Land Cruiser to aid in their rhino protection initiatives

THE SUN ALSO RISES “Never be daunted”, said Ernest Hemingway in his classic The Sun Also Rises. He must surely have been speaking of rhinos and not Spanish bulls, imploring the world not to give up hope.

Because one thing is for sure, the task is certainly daunting. So where do you start? Do you educate the masses on the true medicinal quality of rhino horn, explaining that it is no different than chewing your own fingernails? Do you get the army and legal system involved and throw money towards arrests, rewards and prosecution? Do you back the school of thought rallying for the legalization of rhino horn? Or do you do your best to help the dedicated individuals working day and night in the field to deter the poaching epidemic? No matter what our approach, action needs to be taken. The sun will one day rise The RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos is set to be an annual event in aid of the Save the Rhino Trust on a society that works together to protect its natural resources and sees the worth in its pristine beauty. Until that day, each For more information on or to contribute to this amazing initiative individual willing and able must be prepared to rough it for the visit www.rideforrhinos.com.na cause… they won’t make it without you. TNN

From the Summer 16/17 issue of

Travel News Namibia

A passionate

adventure

SAVING THE WORLD ONE RHINO AT A TIME Text Elzanne Erasmus Photographs Chris Botha & Elzanne Erasmus

“What are we going to tell our children when it’s all gone?”

The rustic strains of Elemotho’s* voice fills the air which I hoarsely draw into my lungs as I, for a horrifying second, contemplate a universe in which I exist and a species stronger, mightier, and just as important as my own does not.

For an agonising moment I imagine myself sitting on the edge of a bed sometime in the distant future, reading a fairy tale to a child.

The fairy tale tells of a gentle and majestic giant, ambling across an arid plain. The creature blends into the beauty of his surroundings. He is at peace with his environment. He belongs there. He is a part of the soil and the rocks and the scattered green protruding from dry earth. He is a part of the pulse of the land. From afar, watchful eyes observe his journey. The observers admire the creature as they admire the landscape around him, and they smile because they know that the beauty they see before them is a true reflection of the natural order of things. They smile because they are lucky enough to be enthralled by the magnitude of the moment.

Back on the edge of this future bed, I close the fairy tale and look down at the child. “Wow,” he says. “What a magical creature that was and what a magical moment. I wish fairy tales and creatures like those were real.” And a tear streaks a shining path down my cheek as I reply: “They used to be…”

What are we going to tell our children when it’s all gone?

How we sold it all, even the last rhino’s horn.

– Elemotho, Save the Rhino

For the second time in as many years, cyclists joined a group of like-minded individuals, passionate about the plight of Namibia’s black rhino, on this exceptional quest.

I saw him, that magical creature in the fairy tale. Except that he was no myth or legend. His name was Kangombe. No, delete that. His name is Kangombe, and he is alive and well. His horns are still where they should be. No one has ‘relieved’ him of his horns yet. The natural order is still intact. But I dread the day that I may have to report on Kangombe’s killing. I fear the day when his horn, a collection of hair follicles, costs him his life And I fear the day when man’s greed will cost us his species.

“IT TAKES A GREAT DEAL OF COURAGE TO SEE THE WORLD IN ALL ITS TAINTED GLORY AND STILL LOVE IT.” – OSCAR WILDE So here are the facts: This is not a fairy tale, or a dream we will wake up from. Since 2008, poaching has led to the death of almost 6 000 African rhinos. There is estimated to be only around 5 000 black rhinos left in Africa today. The price of rhino horn has risen to $60 000 per kilogram – twice the value of gold and platinum – and is now more valuable on the black market than diamonds and cocaine. According to news sources such as The Namibian, the rhino poaching statistics in Namibia read as follows: In the period from 2005-2014 the

Ministry of Environment and Tourism reported the poaching of eight white rhinos and 95 black rhinos. A total of 25 black rhinos were reported to have been killed in 2014 alone. And in 2015? Eighty rhinos were poached.

“YOU BEGIN SAVING THE WORLD BY SAVING ONE THING AT A TIME, ALL ELSE IS GRANDIOSE ROMANTICISM OR POLITICS.” – CHARLES BUKOWSKI So what are the solutions? One topic under contention is the legalisation of the controlled trade of rhino horn.

Much like the hot topic of the ivory trade that was under debate at a recent Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) conference, where it was suggested that the controlled trade of sourced or ‘farmed’ rhino horn gathered through de-horning activities would curb the poaching epidemic. This would come about as the trade will be flooded with a legal product at lower prices, nullifying the need for the substance to be sold on the black market. Save the Rhino International has not yet reached a conclusion on whether or not they agree with this suggestion, but they are currently investigating the merits

RIDE FOR RHINOS

TOP FROM LEFT

Crew members Martin and Thomas await the riders at a water/beer stop | The tour's 3 Master Chefs: Frans, Jonno and Romans | Cyclists take on tricky game track trails through rocky terrain of the idea. The organisation is discussing whether or not a compromise should be reached. It has been established that there is no single approach that will work. But perhaps a combination of anti-poaching initiatives and legal trade is the solution. Namibia has always been a big supporter of sustainable use. If this credo of viable absorption of natural resources and components of biodiversity can be used to support conservation efforts, these efforts could be incomegenerating and self-sustaining.

The main threat to rhinos is poaching fuelled by the illegal trade in rhino horn: for traditional Asian medicine, for high prestige gifts and for a cancer cure according to the latest rumours spread in Vietnam. Whichever avenue you choose to support, one thing remains certain. The final solution lies in eradicating these source markets. If communities in the source market could be educated and made aware that they might as well be chewing on their own fingernails, none of these drastic measures would even need to be discussed. This is a pipe dream, however. But those of us who are passionate about saving the species, are nothing if not dreamers.

“BE A DREAMER. A DOER. A THINKER. SEE POSSIBILITIES EVERYWHERE.” He was walking down a dry river when we found him.

We had been cycling all day through the rough terrain of

Damaraland in northwestern Namibia and we enjoyed the reprieve of the game-viewer vehicles and the cold beers we had on hand. We had left camp only 10 minutes before to go in search of the animal we had travelled all this way for.

We watched his progress for what seemed like hours, softly chatting amongst ourselves and savouring the moment.

Later that evening, around a campfire, Save the Rhino Trust rangers told us they knew Kangombe well. He was an old friend. They had been watching over him for decades. My heart soared at their words and at the realisation of the sacrifices made by individuals for the greater good. Some dedicate their lives to it. Some give money. Some give time.

Others give their hearts.

The 2016 RMB Namibia Ride for Rhinos combined all the adventure and thrill of a mountain-biking tour through the spectacular Namibian landscape with the passion driving an exciting new conservation effort. The tour, which first took place in October 2015, took 20 mountainbiking enthusiasts on a four-day journey through the Palmwag Concession Area adjacent to the Torra and Omatendeka conservancies of the Kunene Region. The area falls within Save the Rhino Trust Namibia’s one million hectare protection area. For the second time in as many years, cyclists joined a group of like-minded individuals, passionate about the plight of Namibia’s black rhino, on

Do not go gentle into that good night.

Rage, rage against the dying of the light – Dylan Thomas

RIDE FOR RHINOS this exceptional quest. For four days they traversed the rocky landscapes, battled the heat and the wind, and loved every second of their saddleback safari.

In their ’downtime’ they discussed vital issues. Whether they were taking a water break, sipping gin and tonic while watching the sunset, or in deep conversation around late-night campfires, the dialogue never ceased. Opinions were given, issues discussed and ideas thrown about. I was thrilled every time someone used the term: “What if we…” This was a group of individuals capable of doing extraordinary things if they banded together. Among them were CEOs and department heads of major corporations in Namibia. There were tourism professionals, creatives, doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs and bankers – influential people. People who could make a difference and be a part of the solution. And each of them wanted to find a solution.

In any way they could.

“IF WE ALL STAND TOGETHER, WE WILL WIN,” SAID SIMSON URI-KHOB, THE CEO OF SRT WITH THE GREATEST CONFIDENCE. RMB Namibia, Wilderness Safaris, CYMOT and Venture Media, all crave to be a part of this solution. Upon starting the initiative, Venture Media realised that it would only be possible through the combined efforts of a wonderful group of people. With financial contributions, RMB helped get the initiative off the ground and allowed us to turn it into the enormous success it is today. Wilderness Safaris, heading up the logistics of the tour and host of the final night’s accommodation, is integral to every step of this breathtaking experience. CYMOT’s MTB expertise and support made sure that the adventure kept going, despite the rugged terrain. And Venture Media? Well, at the end of the day all we want to do is to tell stories. So we facilitate and organise and bring this brilliant group of people and companies together. We strive to inspire. And most of all we make the connections that will allow this all-important conversation to continue. To continue beyond the water stops and the sunset chats and fireside debates. Making the connection between those who want to help and those who need it. Compared to the challenges faced by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and organisations such as Save the Rhino Trust, our job seems menial and easy. It is they who face the real challenges, and also the criticism that comes with the task and its inevitable failures.

They have a tough job. But who can help? Those of us who can exert ourselves physically, or have cash or time to spare. What can we do? We can keep talking. We can facilitate the conversation. We can keep shining light on the problem and the issues at hand as brightly and for as long as possible. One thing every participant of this endeavour, this adventure for conservation, will tell you, is that a passion to take up the fight for nature comes from deep inside. You have to feel it. Feel the dread. Feel the dire consequence. And then you have to feel the need to stand up and do something. Feel the passion. Rally, roar, riot, rush, run, rage, or ride on a bicycle to save them. TNN

CITES The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) of wild fauna and flora is an international agreement between governments aimed at ensuring that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. See www.cites.org.

SUSTAINABLE USE Sustainable use means the use of components of biological diversity in a way and at a rate that does not lead to the long-term decline of biodiversity, thereby maintaining its potential to meet the needs and aspirations of present and future generations.

*Elemotho is a Namibian recording artist who recently released a song entitled Save the Rhino in conjunction with various other Namibian musicians as part of Save the Rhino Trust Namibia’s One Voice campaign. You can help support SRT’s efforts by purchasing the song at www.givetoday.com.na.

For any further information please feel free to contact Elzanne Erasmus at either 081 367 3583 or elzanne@travelnewsnamibia.com.