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Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Save the Rhino International will receive your money faster and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in tax will be added to your gift at no cost to you.

Rhinos: An endangered species

A combination of well-organised poaching rings and critical habitat loss has reduced the world rhino population from 500,000 at the beginning of the 1970s to fewer than 18,000 surviving today. This represents a startling 97% loss in population in just 35 years, and has catapulted the rhino to the top of every criticallyendangered species list, alongside animals such as tigers, African wild dogs and the Great Apes.

The problem

The fundamental problem for the rhino is its horn, in much the same way as the elephant and its tusks Rhino horn, made of the material keratin that is also found in human hair and nails, has been extensively used to make ornamental dagger handles in the Middle East and for traditional medicine in the Far East (although it is not used as an aphrodisiac as many people think). The demand has led traders paying poachers for rhino horn, leading to an international black market trade in the substance.

Current situation

Due to the work of wildlife organisations like Save the Rhino International, rhino numbers have begun to stabilise in some areas over recent years. However the situation remains extremely precarious. The current rhino population figures are:

• 60 Javan rhinos

• 300 Sumatran rhinos

• 2,400 Indian rhinos

• 3,100 black rhinos

• 11,700 white rhinos

To help raise money for this cause I am taking part in a fundraising trek through the Indian region of Sikkim.  This is followed by a trip through the Kaziranga National Park - Assam on Elephant-back in search Indian Rhinos and Bengal Tigers. 

The trip is being organised by Save the Rhino International and lead by Neil Bridgland.

So please sponsor me now!

Many thanks for your support.