African philanthropists pledge to relocate 100 rhinos to Botswana at Race for Rhinos event

The 100 black and white rhinos, that will be relocated from South Africa to Botswana, were pledged to match the 100 planes at the Race for Rhinos event, hosted by Botswana Tourism on the Makgadikgadi Pans

The patron of Tlhokomela, President Khama, flagging off the air navigation race this weekend (Guy J. Zondagh)

This weekend during a Botswana air navigation event, Race For Rhinos, a pledge was made to relocate 100 black and white rhino from South Africa to safe havens in Botswana. At the inaugural event last year, Avis 4x4 Chief Executive Officer, Martin Steer, was so inspired by the Botswana government’s demonstration towards the protection of endangered species coupled with inspired public support at the Race that he decided to make this pledge a reality one year later.

The Race For Rhinos was established by Botswana Tourism Organisation to create diversity in the tourism product and demonstrate Botswana’s position as a primary adventure and eco-tourism destination. Over 67 turbo engine aircraft registered to race a handicapped route (without the use of GPS) navigating over areas that are associated with rhinos, such as the Khama Rhino Sanctuary and others. The idea was to raise awareness of rhino conversation in the country whilst participating in one of the largest aviation events in Southern Africa.

Mr Steer along with a group of donors was inspired by last year’s event and pledged to match the number of aircraft at the 2016 Race For Rhinos with real live endangered species. In addition to the 67 turbo planes, helicopters and stunt aircraft made up the 100.

A public pledge was made through the Tlhokomela Trust to the Botswana Government and was received by the Trust chairman, Mr Balisi Bonyongo and the Honourable Minister Tshekedi Khama of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism (also a trustee). The Honourable Minister conveyed Botswana’s promise to keep these rhino safe in Botswana, but also brought attention to the urgent need for support from the wider public. Currently Botswana as a nation has received few funds towards national conservation, including that to protect the rhino, and the Minister reiterated that we cannot do this alone.

Standing up, following the pledge, the General Manager of Debswana’s Orapa, Letlhakane and Dambsa mines, Mr Alan Breen pledged to provide the necessary collars to the value of Botswana Pula 250,000 (approximately $23,000) for the first group of rhino to be relocated.

The relocation will not entail all 100 rhinos at once but will begin before the end of the cooler season in 2016 and be followed by more in 2017 and 2018. The rhino will be moved to areas that are protected by a multiagency anti-poaching task force and will look to strengthen the genetic diversity of existing and new herds.

This donation continues the trend that was initiated by His Excellency to relocate rhinos from neighbouring countries that started in 2000. The program of restocking Botswana’s endangered species has highlighted the public/private partnerships that make conservation in Botswana so successful. Relocations have been undertaken by the government, Rhino Conservation Botswana and Rhinos Without Borders and have been supported through funding by some of the most exclusive tourism companies including Wilderness Safaris, & Beyond and Great Plains Conservation and private sector companies such as Debswana and Stanbic Bank.