Rhino walk gains momentum
Halfway through, the iSimangaliso 'rhino walk' is aimed at raising conservation awareness among communities adjacent to the park via their youth.
TWO weeks into the almost month-long ‘rhino walk’ spanning the length of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park, much attention has been drawn to the plight of these magnificent creatures among communities.
In a route mapped out by the park authority, more than 11 000 pupils from 75 schools adjacent to the wetland park are participating in the walk.
Much like a relay, the pupils carry colourful banners from school to school which they sign before handing them over to the next group.
The banners will be handed over to the Department of Environmental Affairs on World Rhino Day tomorrow (Tuesday).
‘We wanted to find the best way to mobilise those who could make a real difference regarding rhino poaching,’ said iSimangaliso CEO, Andrew Zaloumis.
‘We knew it had to begin with children, with a meaningful initiative that would create a new generation of conservation ambassadors’.
Organised in the memory of the late Herbert Mthembu, raising awareness through the rhino walk is a way of ensuring this world heritage site is conserved for generations to come.
