ZAR 60,000 ($4,000 USD) to fund a fully trained anti-poaching K9
ZAR 252,000 ($17,000 USD) to fund a trained K9 handler
Every year.
Captured In Africa are working to aid and support our heroes in the field protecting rhinos.
WHAT’S HAPPENING WITH RHINOS?
- Rhino populations have plummeted from 500,000 at the turn of the 20th Century
- Today, an estimated 28,000 black & white rhinos remain in the wild
- White Rhino population approximately 17,212 – 18,915
- Black Rhino population approximately 5,366 – 5,627
- Poachers have killed 10,000 rhinos in Africa in just the past 10 years
- 2-3 rhinos are poached every day
- South Africa’s Kruger National Park, the rhino poaching hotspot of the world, reported in February 2021 a loss of 70% of its rhino population in 10 years between 2010-2020
WHY ARE RHINOS BEING POACHED?
It’s a horny issue. Rhinos are poached for their horn often by local poachers under the authority of poaching & crime syndicates. The demand from Asia is a result from two areas:
- Burgeoning middle-class in China and Vietnam who can afford rhino horn as a status and wealth symbol. Some horns are carved into ornamental objects and trinkets.
- Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for purported cures for such things as hangovers to cancers
Rhino horns are just like human fingernails and hair, they are made from Keratin. That’s it – no magic ingredient, no super-food, no mysterious superpower. There is no scientific evidence that rhino horn cures any medicinal ailments.
THERE’S HOPE FOR RHINOS
CAPTURED IN AFRICA work closely with Pit-Track K9 Conservation Unit in South Africa. Captured In Africa founder Drew Abrahamson is also a director of Pit-Track.
Pit-Track is a registered NPC Non-Profit Company specialising in K-9 based anti-poaching which is made up of highly-skilled, passionate, and dedicated operators, members and corporate affiliates, who have devoted their lives to the protection of wildlife.
Pit-Track subsidizes and self-funds additional K9 APU Units countrywide where we can, these units are deployed on behalf and at the cost of our Organization in high-risk key poaching areas.
Pit-Track is currently protecting the largest wildlife sanctuary in South Africa, along with providing K9 management & detection at the main entrances into the APNR (Association of Private Nature Reserves) and Greater Kruger Area. When requested Pit-Track provide additional operational K9 field searches and back up to the APNR and the greater Kruger National Area.
None of this can be done without your support.
Pit-Track operators are trained to the highest possible standard by some of the best global organisations in the business. Infield training for combat situations is done by Poaching Prevention Academy, incorporated with European Security Academy. The training of our K9s is extensive as they perform many functions from patrol and protection to detection. Daily ‘in house’ training of our detection handlers and K9s takes place who are assessed and moderated regularly by Braveheart Bio Dog Academy.
- K9s are the ranger’s eyes, ears, noses, and companions in the bush.
- The K9s ability to follow a scent, rather than spoor (footprints), allows anti-poaching operators the opportunity to sprint on the follow-ups and release apprehension dogs on suspects, this has proven to bring results and is more effective than conventional methods.
- The K9s locates the poachers and apprehends the suspects for our APU (anti-poaching unit).
- Through this, K9s themselves have a higher purpose, the protection of our natural heritage.
Most experts agree that rhino poaching requires a multi-faceted approach, including on-the-ground security and anti-poaching, increased law enforcement and criminal sentencing, and threats include habitat loss, encroachment by people, and fragmented populations that inhibit breeding. A large corruption element brings with it a heightened danger and necessity for anti-poaching personnel to be vigilant in the field.
The number one priority in ending rhino poaching is through the education of the public – the end-user in Asia and other parts of the world, who create and drives the demand for rhino horn and rhino horn products. Until such time as the end user become morally aware that obtaining rhino horn results in a dead rhino, the on-the-ground efforts of our hero rangers & K9’s are key to protecting rhinos and other wildlife.
Not all heroes wear capes. They’re SUPER K9’S
WHAT IT COSTS TO SAFEGUARD RHINOS
Per year
K9: ZAR 60,000 ($4,000 USD)
K9 Handler: ZAR 252,000 ($17,000 USD)
Per month
K9: ZAR 5,000 ($340 USD)
K9 Handler: ZAR 21,000 ($1,400 USD)
WHAT ARE CAPTURED IN AFRICA DOING?
As a conservation orientated safari company, our team are well versed in dealing with Africa’s conservation industry and so we are proud to create this new initiative to support anti-poaching efforts.
Captured In Africa’s SUPER K9’s Initiative looks to aid conservation efforts In three ways;
- Donations of $100 per traveller booking with Captured In Africa will be contributed to the SUPER K9’s non-profit initiative
- Promote and maximise public donations towards conservation efforts through the SUPER K9’s non-profit initiative
- Promote and maximise private Investment and physical equipment donations into conservation efforts through the SUPER K9’s non-profit initiative
Together, we can save rhinos.
Super K9’s is a Captured In Africa anti-poaching funding initiative. All rights reserved.
