Devastating News...

It is with great sadness that I write this blog. A little over a month ago we darted one of our white rhino male bulls for ear notching, DNA/Blood sample collection and and micro-chipping - all anti-poaching efforts. This same rhino was slaughtered this week at the hand of poachers. Him and our breeding bull. They were both darted and their horns hacked off.

We are devastated to say the least. The police investigation is currently under way and we can only hope that some form of justice will be served. This is a huge loss to the Amakhala Game Reserve.

RHINO DARTING October 2010

Our children's favourite description of things they love doing and eating, is 'awesome'. Be it a day spent at the riding stables, getting to pick out a chocolate donut at the bakery, watching their Jack Russell 'Jock' perform aerial stunts or simply a gorgeous sunset. 'Awesome' reached new dimensions recently however when our girls were privy to our rhino conservation activities:

As private white rhino owners, the responsibility lies on our shoulders to put every effort in place to protect our rhino amidst the increased poaching activity that threaten these iconic mammals.

With the expertise of renowned wildlife vet, Dr. Peter Brothers and his team from Brothers Safaris, we identified a young male on the reserve for ear notching (helps with field identification), DNA/blood sample collection and neck and horn micro-chipping for security measures.

The rhino was darted from the helicopter and when immobilized, the team came in. Monitoring breathing and heart rate is crucial whilst the animal is down. The entire procedure went smoothly and within minutes of the reversal drug being administered, he slowly stood up wondering what had just happened!

The HillsNek team continued to monitor him throughout the days that followed and were happy to report that his recovery was perfect.

It's not often that a 6 and 8 year old get to touch a White Rhino, feel his rough leathery skin, hold his horn and hear his every breath. I know it was beyond 'awesome' for them, as it was for me. Even better yet, the lessons being taught early on about what it takes to conserve and protect this incredible animal are immeasurable. No doubt news time at school on Monday morning highlighted the excitement of the day's events, and the story of conserving and caring got passed on to hopefully another 40 children in their combined classes. And so awareness is created and we teach our children from a young age the vital lesson of preserving our natural heritage for their children to one day enjoy.

For nature is indeed nothing short of 'awesome'!!!

Q&A on Rhino Poaching

The Endangered Wildlife Trust's Rhino Security Project has released an informative and thought-provoking factsheet providing answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding rhino poaching, the value of the horn, the practice of dehorning rhinos etc.

Copy and paste this URL for some invaluable information:

www.ewt.org.za/portals/O/EWT%20Fact%20Sheets/Q&A%20Rhino%20dehorning.pdf

Rhino Day 22 Sept 2010

HILLSNEK SAFARIS team with the Amakhala

Rangers, Reserve Volunteers and Ulovane

Students showing their support for the "Stop Rhino Poaching Campaign"

at the look out spot "Gods Window" on the Amakhala Game Reserve.

Thanks to all for your time and effort in this crucial campaign!

RHINO MONTH

RHINO MONTH

September is an extra special month ..... HillsNek Safaris is supporting WWF with RHINO MONTH! Take a stand, get involved, make a donation and spread the word to help save Africa's rhino against ruthless poaching and the threat of extinction.

September 22nd has been declared RHINO DAY whereby all citizens are implored to make a noise and send out an urgent plea for help from our leaders:

"Concerned about Rhino poaching? Then get ready to take a stand and to make some noise.
On 22 September, RHINO DAY, WWF calls on all concerned citizens of the world to dust off their vuvuzelas, toot their horns and to make as much noise as possible, at 1pm, as a symbolic act to send a powerful message to leaders that the time to take serious and effective action against rhino poaching is now.
RHINO DAY will be the culmination of a month-long campaign by WWF and other partners, encouraging the public to help support South Africa’s rhino warriors – the men and women at the frontline who risk their lives daily against the sophisticated, ruthless and heavily-armed international criminal gangs who run the illegal rhino horn trade.
Together we can all play a role in the fight against Rhino poaching.
As part of RHINO MONTH, WWF is challenging individuals, businesses, schools, universities and other organisations to not only make a noise on 22 September, but also make a donation which will ensure that much-needed anti-poaching equipment and support can be secured for rangers across the region."

Visit http://www.wwf.org.za/ for additional information on this vital campaign.

HillsNek Safaris Team

Rhino Wars

Conservation War Crimes

Sadly the war on rhinos is raging and poaching is rapidly on the rise.

Before going commercial and entering the tourism market, the HillsNek Safaris lodge operated as a base camp for our White Rhino Monitoring & Anti-Poaching Programme.

Grocott's Mail - Grahamstown's oldest independent newspaper - recently ran an on-line article on this topic and interviewed the HillsNek Team where a diligent and dedicated anti-poaching and monitoring programme is firmly in place.

Take a look at the article on Rhino Poaching by clicking here:

http://www.grocotts.co.za/content/rhino-poaching-rise-10-08-2010

At HillsNek Safaris our mission is still first and foremost to PROTECT THE ENDANGERED RHINO. The ruthless and unneccessary slaying of one of the oldest animals on this planet is deplorable. To think that in our lifetime this animal could go extinct is unfathomable and despairing.

We put out an urgent call to all to be proactive. Spread the word and help create an awareness of the plight of the rhino. Tell your family and friends. Let your children know. Tell the educators. Every effort is needed to help combat this war.

Safari Brides

Dreaming of a Safari Wedding...

Take a look at these gorgeous African-inspired dresses and even if you have already tied the knot, you may just be enticed to redo your wedding vows somewhere in the African bush!

This editorial fashion shoot was put together for a high end Australian wedding website called The LANE (www.thelane.com http://www.thelane.com/.

The Lane's CEO Karissa Fanning - YES! the lovely 'Mrs' married to Australian pro-surfer & dual world champion Mick Fanning - was at the helm:

With a theme of ‘Colours of Africa’, silhouettes from top Australian designers Alex Perry (www.alexperry.com.au), Camilla (www.camilla.com.au) and Lisa Brown (www.lisa-brown.com.au) were styled on homegrown model, Maboni Nyakatya from Boss Models, Cape Town. Wow! Aren't our local gals gorgeous! Oh and did I mention BRAVE? Those are animals in the background...

The Lane team used HillsNek Safaris as their base camp to set up before going out to scout locations on the Game Reserve for their photo shoots. The beautiful landscapes, varied topography and abundance of wildlife provided the perfect back-drop for these incredibly beautiful dresses.

Take a look at the Colours of Africa editorial on

http://thelane.com/the-guide/fashion/styling-shoots/colours-of-africa-part-two

Let us know what you think!