Running for rhinos this Sunday

Paula Schultz (38) is on a mission to create awareness about rhino poaching.

She recently moved to the South Coast from Pretoria, following her heart when Hennie Kanfer, who lives in Port Shepstone, proposed to her.

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An ambassador for rhinos, Paula has been involved with rhino conservation in Gauteng for many years.

Hennie was set on running the Lake Eland Classic which ironically takes place this Sunday, September 22, World Rhino Day.

Paula connected the dots and met with Mandie Stander, organiser of the Classic and mother of the late world champion mountain biker, Burry Stander.

Legendary Burry who would have celebrated his 32nd birthday on September 16, was passionate about rhinos and had ‘War on Poaching’ printed on his cycling shirts.

Hennie will now be running the 20km race on behalf of both rhinos and Burry, and Mandie has given Hennie a special ‘Burry’ shirt to wear on the day.

A Burry Stander Specialized long-sleeve cycling shirt will also be auctioned off on the day, and stickers and mugs will be on sale for R10, with all proceeds going towards a non-profit rhino organisation.

Paula has an incredible love and passion for the critically endangered species, and has over the years taken care of many orphaned baby rhinos, most which have lost their mothers to poaching.

“Little attention has been given to rhinos here on the South Coast, but we do have rhinos in KwaZulu-Natal and these animals are part of our heritage and one of the Big Five,” says Paula.

To commemorate World Rhino Day last year, Paula had a large tattoo of Sudan the rhino inked on her thigh.

Sudan was the world’s last surviving male northern white rhino, which died of natural causes last year at the age of 45.

The tattoo of Sudan nearly cost Paula her life – about five days after having the tattoo done, Paula landed in ICU, and although she pulled though, she has suffered muscle and nerve damage to her leg.

Paula has 10 tattoos, all in memory of great rhinos which were poached, including iThemba, Ruby, Tango and Hope.

Paula says the tragic plight of the rhino is real and a lot more horrifying and tragic than the public might think.

“It’s not sunshine and roses for those working on the ground with the rhinos affected by poaching,” she says.

“I know that the public has lost trust in rhino organisations due to fund-raising scams, but I hope to go some way towards restoring their faith.

“Safe havens for rhinos are costly – from the anti-poaching units to the veterinary services to building a boma – everything has a cost, and we do need to raise funds,” she says.

If you would like to get in touch with Paula contact her at 074 8753118.

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