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The Lowveld Rhino Trust is extremely
lucky to have a long-time, dedicated group of donors and stakeholders who
have helped to support rhino management and protection in Zimbabwe for many
years, and are committed to making sure that Zimbabwe’s rhino survive this
current crisis.
Beit Trust
The Beit Trust, a 104-year-old
foundation that makes grants in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, has provided
significant funding to help establish and support black rhino conservancies
in Zimbabwe’s lowveld.
Disney Wildlife Conservation
Fund
The Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund has provided annual support to the
Lowveld Rhino Trust for rhino management and monitoring activities.
Gilman International
Conservation Foundation
Gilman International Conservation promotes
conservation of flagship species and their natural habitats. Gilman provides
yearly support for the Lowveld Rhino Trust’s rhino management and monitoring
activities.
International
Rhino Foundation
IRF
provides significant technical support to the Lowveld Rhino Trust and
fundraises for the program. Numerous individuals and zoos have contributed
funds to help protect Zimbabwe’s rhinos through IRF, including the Fort
Worth Zoo, the Toronto Zoo, and the Ledder Family Charitable Trust.
Paul Tudor Jones
Paul Tudor Jones is a philanthropist who supports the rhino operations with
an annual allocation of helicopter time, in return for which the Lowveld
Rhino Trust provides technical advice and logistical support for rhino
management on Malilangwe Estate, Zimbabwe, in which he has invested.
SAVE Foundation
The SAVE Foundation of Australia is committing
to protecting Africa’s wildlife, with a special focus on conserving black
rhinos in Zimbabwe. The Foundation provides the Lowveld Rhino Trust with
funding for equipment like radios, GPS units, and field kits, and for
salaries for monitoring units.
Sea World Busch Gardens Conservation Fund
The Sea World Busch
Gardens Conservation Fund supports the annual operations of the Lowveld
Rhino Trust, including veterinary treatment, translocations and monitoring.
U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service Rhino and Tiger Conservation Fund
USFWS has provided financial support for rhino translocations and veterinary
care since 2004, and has increased funding this year in response to the
crisis. Officials recognize the significance of these events and are making
every effort to mobilize financial resources for veterinary interventions
and anti-poaching efforts.
World Wildlife Fund Southern Africa Regional Programme Office
WWF SARPO provides significant support to the Lowveld Rhino Trust for office
and running costs, vehicles, equipment, and other costs necessary to
implement annual rhino operations.
Save the Rhino International
Save the Rhino
International supports and raises funding from individuals, zoos, trusts and
foundations and from its own core funds, for the Lowveld Rhino Trust’s
annual and emergency operations. Wilhelma, the Zoological and Botanical Zoo
in Stuttgart, Germany, The Marjorie Coote Animal Welfare Trust and the EAZA
Rhino Campaign have all contributed funds to Zimbabwe through SRI.
Additional information on funds received through Save the Rhino
International
Wilhelma,
the Zoological and Botanical Zoo in Stuttgart, Germany, holds three Greater
one-horned rhinos, the species found in Assam (India) and Nepal. Since
2005-6, the year of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria's "Save the
Rhinos" Campaign, Wilhelma's Elephant and Rhino team have been fundraising
for the Indian Rhino Vision 2020 programme in Assam, raising a grand total
of 30,000 euros to date. These funds have been distributed by Save the Rhino
International, the London-based charity that works to support the
conservation of all five rhino species.
However, when it came to sending the next 5,000 euros, Dr Wolfram Rietschel,
zoo veterinarian at Wilhelma, felt that the crisis in Zimbabwe, where
poaching has escalated significantly in the last few months, was the most
pressing need. Total numbers of white and black rhinos in the Lowveld
Conservancies fell from 830 to 740 in 2008, despite good birth rates. "Even
if Zimbabwe's animals have more than one horn," said Dr Rietschel, "we
believe that this is a dire emergency requiring immediate action."
Cathy Dean, Director of Save the Rhino International, said "We applaud
Stuttgart Zoo's fundraising efforts and willingness to support a species not
even represented in the Zoo, but one that is at extreme risk from poachers.
The Lowveld Conservancies hold about one-tenth of the world's population of
black rhinos, and we cannot afford to let the poachers win this battle."
Stuttgart Zoo's donation will be used to support the work of the Lowveld
Rhino Trust, a Zimbabwean NGO that manages monitoring and anti-poaching
units. |