In my early twenties, I was lucky enough to experience what it was like to live in the presence of these beautiful, prehistoric creatures. I spent a year working as a Safari Nature guide in South Africa, where I would take tourists from all around the world out into the wild bush and work with my tracker to provide them the best Safari experience possible. 

And I'll be completely honest in saying that upon starting this new career, the African Rhino was never a species a gravitated towards (always being more of a big cat and Hyena lover). But every second that I spend in the presence of these magical animals, the more I fell in love with their playful attitudes and innocent nature - both Black & White sub-species. 

The way they munched on the grass with their square mouths and wallowed in the mad made them both adorable and majestic. I truly fell in love with their monstrous size, thick leathery skin, and playful nature (especially the youngsters). So when I heard directly from the local anti-poaching units just how low their population was dropping and how long we can expect them to remain on this earth - I was heartbroken. 

But there was one day where I experienced for myself just how DEVASTATING this Ivory trade was, not only on the animals but also the humans who get involved. 

About 3 months in, I was shocked to hear the news that an adult White Rhino was found shot to death with its front horn hacked off with an axe, only about 1km from our lodge. This confronting discovery sparked a wave of forensic investigation that involved hundreds of polygraph tests, sniffer dog raids and interrogations of EVERY staff member in ALL the lodges surrounding the incident. 

After around a month of this intense search for answers, it was discovered that our head guide and someone who had become one of my good friends during my time there, was found guilty of being the individual who shot the Rhino, and his tracking partner (another good friend) was thought to have dismembered the horn. 

I was beyond devastated to hear this news. But what really hit me to the core was what happened next. I saw that not only does the poaching crisis result in the death of these beautiful animals, it also RUINS the lives of the individuals involved in the act, including their loved ones. I had gotten to know the wife and children of my colleague very well, as she also worked at the lodge as a receptionist. The trauma she experienced knowing her husband was under arrest and would undoubtedly never work again to support their 2 young children was heartbreaking. 

The hardest part was - How much was even in my colleague's control? Was it his choice to kill this rhino, or was he being manipulated by external forces? Was he acting through greed, or were there threats against his family if he did not deliver that horn? 

I guess I'll never know. But what I do know is that I want to support causes like Save the Rhino, so they can have the resources to not only fund the anti-poaching units that prevent these acts from happening but also educate the local villages surrounding the safari reserves on how to avoid being manipulated by external evils who want to extort them for information and transportation of horns. 

So THAT'S why I chose to tackle this self-made trilogy challenge of 2 Triathlons (Mooloolaba March 12th and Gold Coast Sprint April 11th), topped with the Gold Coast Marathon July 4th! Keeen as haha! 

With the HABITUAL peeps smashing their goals and raising funds for a variety of good causes alongside me - and beautiful family support - I'll be going all in to smash this goal and raise awareness for these animals and help diminish the Rhino horn trade!

Every cent matters, thank you!