Volkswagen continues its fight for the protection of rhinos
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles recently invited three fleet customers to join Wilderness Foundation Africa on a rhino darting experience to bring about awareness and education regarding the nationwide rhino-poaching crisis, and the work being done on the ground to address the situation.
Volkswagen has been partnering with the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative since 2011
Volkswagen has been partnering with the Forever Wild Rhino Protection Initiative since 2011, and in the last six years Volkswagen Amarok bakkies have assisted in the arrest of suspected poachers; the confiscation of firearms; the recovery of rhino horn; extended patrols in game parks around the country; rhino tracking exercises; the relocation of rhino for safety reasons; and support to aerial teams across the country.
Wilderness Foundation Africa darts, notches and places tracking devices on rhino for identification purposes.
Wilderness Foundation Africa darts, notches and places tracking devices on rhino for identification purposes. The DNA tissue samples collected allow the tracking of the rhino population. All information gathered through these darting experiences is fed into the national RhODIS (Rhino DNA Index System) database.
RhODIS is a project that was initiated by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of Pretoria in order to help with the plight of the rhinos. The Veterinary Genetics Laboratory is collecting DNA samples of rhinos across the country to create a database using the unique DNA profile of individual rhinos. The goal is for all rhinos to be on the system. This will deter poachers and assist in forensic prosecutions.
“Protecting the natural heritage in South Africa is no longer a nice-to-have but something that must be done. Rhinos, amongst other fauna and flora, need our help and as a company, VWSA is willing and ready to assist Wilderness Foundation Africa wherever we can,” says Thomas Schaefer, Volkswagen Group South Africa Chairman and Managing Director.
