Going beyond rhino rescue | Reflecting on a decade of impact

Samantha Mooi, Investec head of Sustainability SA

20 Sep 2024

Care for Wild rhino sanctuary is a case study in how conservation of an endangered species can become the catalyst for significant social development.

https://youtu.be/w7kO1CS1930

From a crisis, a rhino stronghold is born

Ten years ago, at the zenith of the rhino poaching crisis, South African National Parks (SANParks) approached a little-known Mpumalanga conservation NPO to care for the increasing number of rhino calves orphaned from poaching, and the adults who survived having their horns hacked off.

1,215 The number of rhinos poached in SA in 2014.

Care for Wild and SANParks signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that black and white rhinos from the Kruger National Park would be rescued and brought to the sanctuary.

From two buildings, a barn, and a handful of volunteers and employees, Care for Wild now spans 1800 hectares making it the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, whose expertise in rescue, rehabilitation and rewilding of rhino is sought across the globe.

Care for Wild rhino bomas

“I never thought ten years ago that what we’ve built could be possible. It feels unreal. It was one phone call from SANParks asking for help to save the rhino. And I had nothing, just a willing heart and a deep passion for wildlife,” reflects Petronel Nieuwoudt, CEO and Founder of Care for Wild.

Petronel Nieuwoudt , CEO and Founder of Care for Wild.

So, what’s behind the sanctuary’s success?

Do the basics meticulously. Choose your partners carefully. And even when you’re in the business of saving animals, put people at the core of your conservation model.

It starts with the rhino, but ends with the communities

“It's not possible to save rhinos if we don't think about the local communities and the poverty and unemployment they face. If we don’t, they will not accept what we are trying to do. They will not work for it,” says Nieuwoudt.

Care for Wild aims for a sustainable conservation model that not only improves human life but simultaneously addresses the root causes of rhino poaching. If one’s basic needs aren’t being met – food, shelter, education – then there’s no incentive to protect anything, let alone an animal who offers no tangible relief from your daily circumstances.

Care for Wild appreciates this and has become a ‘micro-development engine’ in the area, ensuring the needs of those who live close to the reserve, are met.

Their approach to community involvement is multifaceted, focusing on job creation, education, skills development, and direct community support.

Calvin Netshia, Duty Officer Anti Poaching unit, Care for Wild

Job creation and skills development

Six years ago, Investec introduced the Youth Employment Service (YES) programm, to Care for Wild.

It’s a business-led initiative supported by government and labour to impact the youth unemployment crisis in South Africa.

Chris de Bruno Austin, Care for Wild, Board chairman

“The YES programme is one of the most important contributors to the success of what you see here. I don't think we would have been as successful, over the last ten years, and expanded like we have, if we didn't have the support from Investec,” said Chris de Bruno Austin, Care for Wild’s board chairman.

Through the programme, 814 unemployed youths have been given a one-year paid work experience at Care for Wild. These young individuals are mentored and trained across various departments, including animal care, security, environmental management, and administration.

This programme not only offers immediate employment but also equips participants with valuable skills and knowledge that pave the way for future careers in conservation and environmental management.

Around 40% of the YES interns have gone on to secure permanent positions at Care for Wild.

Shifting mindsets

One such individual is 24-year-old, Andile Nkosi. Not only is he permanently employed with a monthly salary, so his and his family’s needs are being met, but his role at Care for Wild means he’s actively facilitating the shifting of mindsets.

“The rhinos have brought a lot of impact to the community, and the people see that. When you take care of the kids – with food and education, the parents won’t have that ‘harming-heart’ to harass us at the farm or sanctuary.” Andile Nkosi, Care for Wild, Community Projects Manager.

On an impact assessment trip to the sanctuary, Investec’s head of Sustainability SA, Samantha Mooi commented, “Investec has been a partner of Care for Wild since inception, and watching their evolution makes me extremely proud.

Samantha Mooi, Investec head of Sustainability SA

They have never lost focus on why they do this. Yes, it's about the conservation of endangered species. But it's about so much more. It's about bringing the community along and growing that community so that we can have greater social impact.”

Mooi goes on to explain that the long-term partnership with Care for Wild is an important part of Investec’s conservation strategy, and evidence of their commitment to ‘creating enduring wealth’. “We believe that a sustainable future requires both environmental protection and reducing inequalities.”

Learn more about Investec conservation strategy

Growing food, advocates, and diverse income streams

Being overly reliant on donor funding is a risk faced by the majority of NPOs and civil rights organisations worldwide. It was particularly hard felt during Covid-19.

“When you witness something like Covid-19 and the impact it had on the tourism industry and funding, you realise that being reliant on donors is not the answer. We need to secure long-term income streams to ensure the rhino sanctuary survives into perpetuity,” explains de Bruno Austin.

The Lomshiyo farming project is one of the commercial initiatives driven by him to supplement the sanctuary’s funding whilst providing jobs and food for the community. The 100-hectare farming operation includes macadamia nuts, and various vegetable crops, providing employment for up to 70 community members during peak production season.

“The business is here to make money because Care for Wild needs the funding, but also because the community will work to keep it going if they are benefitting directly, both financially and through improved food security.”

Looking to the future: expansion and biodiversity

A consequence of Care for Wild’s success is they need more secure land in which to release and rewild rescued rhinos.

Currently the rehabilitated rhinos are mainly released into a 1,800 hectare reserve close to the sanctuary. But a recent deal sees the rewilding area expand to include 30,000 hectares of the biodiverse rich land of Mountainlands nature reserve (MNR).

And that’s not where the vision ends: “Care for Wild now wants to make sure that the biodiversity within the landscape where rhinos are released, improves continually. We’ve got a five-year plan that will see us to 200,000 hectares.”

Care for Wild is now officially one of the Mega-Living Landscapes withing the government’s 30x30 plan.

The plan includes recreating and preserving natural migration routes, expanding protected areas, and contributing to the global goal of allocating 30% of the planet for nature by 2030.

Reflecting on the impact that Care for Wild has achieved, Investec’s Mooi reiterates the important role that corporates need to play: “It may seem that conservation has nothing to do with the core business of any corporate but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

Climate change, land loss, water shortages, these affect everybody. And these will affect corporate South Africa. So, unless we’re going to find innovative ways to have a positive impact through conservation efforts, these impacts will hamper the ability to do business long term.” DM

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