Help protect endangered rhinos at West Midland Safari Park
West Midland Safari Park will be hosting a special fundraising week dedicated to the conservation of endangered rhinos.
Rhino Week will run during half-term between May 25 and June 2, and guests will be able to take part in fun activities, while helping to raise cash for Save the Rhino International (SRI).
There will be a chance to meet the park's Indian rhinos, during an exclusive Rhino Conservation Evening on May 30. Michaela Butrova and Jack Bedford, SRI's partnerships manager and fundraising officer, will be giving a talk about the plight of rhinos and the important work the charity does to save the endangered animals.
Following the talk, guests will be taken to the Indian Rhino House to meet and feed Rap, Seto and Sunanda.
The park's research and conservation officer, Katie McDonald, said: "Rhino conservation is more important than ever at the moment. Levels of poaching of rhino for their horns are at high levels and the amount of habitat available to rhinos is shrinking. Dedicated conservation organisations, such as Save the Rhino International, are working to prevent the worldwide population of rhinos from decreasing overall.
"Many different measures combined – employing anti-poaching rangers, running breeding sanctuaries, protecting habitat and educating people to stop them purchasing rhino horn – are making a positive difference. However, it really is make or break time. Two of the five species of rhino - Javan and Sumatran rhino, have wild populations with fewer than 80 individuals. Once numbers are down this low a single disease outbreak could result in extinction.
“There were 769 rhinos killed by poachers in South Africa alone last year. Everyone who cares about wildlife wants to stop the cruelty to animals and the threats to the species. This is why we are asking our guests to help to support two important rhino conservation projects, through fundraising for Save the Rhino International, during Rhino Week.”
During the week-long event, guests will be able to visit a rhino information station where they can see artefacts, find out what the park's rhinos eat, learn about the 11 rhinos at West Midland Safari Park and enter a competition. There will also be a photo competition where guests can compare their height with white rhinos Ailsa and Granville, then post it on the park's Facebook page to win a family annual pass.
For more information, visit www.wmsp.co.uk/wmsp-events/rhino-week.
