Join Dr William Fowlds on September 18th 2013 as he hosts an inspirational lecture on the Royal Geographical Society, London, highlighting the plight of the rhino and his mission to offer protection to these iconic creatures of South Africa and to elevate funds for TUSK Trust & Born Free Foundation.
South Africa was gripped by a major surge in rhino poaching lately.
In 2007, 13 rhinos were poached.
In 2013 it estimated that 900 rhinos would be poached with almost three rhinos being killed day by day.
Rhinos are poached for his or her horns which, in line with some South East Asian countries, have healing capabilities and other medicinal uses and values.
Modern science has, however, proved that the horn carries absolutely no medicinal value and is, actually, made of the identical protein, keratin, that’s present in human fingernails.
Yet the demand for the product continues to extend.
Current international debate aimed toward bringing an end to poaching include; legalising the rhino horn trade, dehorning rhinos, stricter law enforcement, decreasing demand through bans (that is illegal to trade in rhino horn through rules stipulated by CITES) or education, and a far better consolidated and collaborative approach by all stakeholders, the location is becoming more critical by the day.
Fowlds is a South African veterinarian and star of ITV1’s Safari Vet School.
His day-to-day job includes darting lions, elephants and antelopes but last year he was called out to a harrowing situation, unlike anything he’d encountered before.
Overnight, three rhinos have been illegally darted using veterinary drugs and the poachers had brutally removed bone, skin and horn with either machetes or axes, leaving the rhinos for dead.
One rhino had actually already died from its injuries but Themba, a male, and Thandi, a feminine were still alive once they were discovered a higher morning.
So began a gruelling, heart-rending week of attempting to save these two, huge and massively mutilated animals.
Decisions needed to be made whether to euthanize them instantly or give them a raffle.
Will was firm to take a look at to save lots of these rhinos.
This is his story.
Bear Grylls, who will offer an introduction to the lecture, said: “As the world’s population explodes, the wildlife on all seven continents is being negatively affected and their numbers are dwindling.
“I have chosen to support one such specie as a logo for all animals in trouble world wide; the rhino in Africa.
“Will Fowlds’s story need to be heard by all, his account of the tragic consequences of poaching and the hope that he holds for the long run in his crusade to avoid wasting the survivors of those criminal acts.”
Tickets cost £20 per person and include a complimentary drinks reception before the lecture.
To purchase tickets please have a look at the official website.
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