There are so many wildlife organisations asking for donations but we’re never quite sure where the money goes or even if it used on the cause we’d hoped to support. Having worked with many wildlife organisations over the last seven years, I have my ‘fave few’ who are making a difference on the ground and who are leaders in their field.
Many people also ask me what they can do to help with the rhino poaching crisis we’re facing in South Africa and it’s not ideal that there are over 270 rhino initiatives on Facebook who are asking for donations. Each of the five organisations that I’ve listed below have a rhino initiative that form part of the umbrella organisation, Project Rhino KZN, who are at the forefront of rhino conservation and is endorsed by Dr Ian Player. Check it out, these guys are rocking it!
My top five wildlife organisations to donate to this Christmas are:
1. African Conservation Trust
The African Conservation Trust (ACT) is a South African-based non-profit Trust. ACT is working in partnership with other leading environment and conservation agencies such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, WESSA and the Wildlands Trust. Donate to them this Christmas and help them achieve funding for environmental and heritage research and conservation in the southern Africa region.
The Skydive for rhinos initiative raised over R500 000 in cash and ‘gift in kind’ donations that will be used for under-funded anti-poaching efforts in KZN. They are also the fundraising resource for the Put Foot Rally‘s Project Rhino initiative for their 2012 rally around Southern Africa!
Rhino project: Skydive for rhinos
www.projectafrica.com
2. Wildlife ACT and Wildlife ACT Fund
Meet on-the-ground conservationists Dr Simon Morgan (PhD in Conservation Ecology), Chris Kelly and Jo Maree. They have established Wildlife ACT, a company that run critically endangered and priority species conservation work on five game reserves in Zululand. They monitor animals such as cheetah, African wild dog, rhino, lion, elephant and leopard. Watch out for their oh-so-cute Wildlife ACT Fund African painted dog carry bags in Woolies later this month. They’ll make great Christmas prezzie carry bags.
You can also choose Wildlife ACT Fund as your Woolies MySchool beneficiary! Change your current supporter profile to the Wildlife ACT Fund by calling the MySchool/MyPlanet call centre on 0860-100-445.
Rhino project: WildlifeACT Fund and Rhino Reality
www.wildlifeact.com
3. Wilderness Foundation
The Wilderness Foundation was founded by conservation legend, Dr Ian Player. It is one of few South African Conservation NGOs involved with active, sustainable social intervention programmes. If you give them a Christmas gift donation this year it will help fund four key programme areas: innovative conservation and development, social intervention and job creation, advocacy and awarenes and experiential education and leadership through wilderness trails.
Rhino project: Forever Wild
Sign their rhino petition!
www.wildernessfoundation.co.za
4. WESSA
These guys focus on the sustainable and equitable management of our natural resources by calling to, and working with, communities and individuals. They are genuinely people caring for the earth. They, too would appreciate your generous Christmas spirit. The donations will allow them to continue to do their work, for the benefit of people and the environment.
Rhino project: WESSA’s Rhino Initiative
www.wessa.org.za
5. WWF South Africa
They hardly need an introduction, but one of WWF’s core goals is to conserve the biodiversity assets (endangered wildlife, species, habitats and ecosystems) of South Africa. They are doing incredible work with their Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme (BREPP), an initiative that I covered in my black rhino article in February’s issue of Getaway. To continue this great work, they need the help and support of the public.
Rhino project: BRREP: Help save Africa’s rhinos
www.wwf.org.za
Photo by: Philip Hattingh
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