Did you know that Minnesotans and conservation organizations in the state have been critical in the fight to save black rhinos in Namibia? For nearly 15 years, the Minnesota Zoo and Minnesota Zoo Foundation have proudly supported Africa’s longest running and most successful black rhino conservation efforts through their partnership with Save the Rhino Trust (SRT). Based in Namibia, SRT follows an unconventional, people-centered approach to conservation that has helped save one of the most unique and important populations of critically endangered black rhinoceros from extinction.
From the dedicated Rhino Rangers trekking thousands of miles across the desert to protect these magnificent animals to the rapid growth in demand for ranger-led rhino tourism experiences, local people are seeing and feeling the benefits of keeping rhinos alive. And with a 90% decline in poaching over the past seven years with only six confirmed cases — while poaching is on the rise elsewhere in Namibia — the rhinos are benefitting too!
Others are seeing the success from people-centered conservation and looking to replicate the model in their own communities. The Minnesota Zoo Foundation’s International Conservation Biologist Dr. Jeff Muntifering, a science advisor to SRT on the ground in Namibia, has led trainings across Africa and Nepal for people-centered conservation efforts around lion, pangolin, Grevy’s Zebra, snow leopard, and other threatened and endangered species.
The people-centered conservation approach goes beyond hiring local rangers to protect rhinos, or any other species. It’s a holistic approach to improving the value and relevancy local people attach to protecting wildlife by finding ways that animals can directly enrich their lives and livelihoods. And rather than invest in conventional anti-poaching strategies like high-tech gadgets and increased law enforcement that aren’t as effective and don’t empower local communities, conservation organizations like the Minnesota Zoo and Minnesota Zoo Foundation invest in local projects — selected by the community for the community.
Dr. Muntifering and SRT have implemented reading programs that encourage a love for rhinos while helping children learn to read, local award ceremonies that recognize especially dedicated rhino rangers — but the campaign’s most engaging project is a collaboration with Wild and Free Foundation to launch the Rhino Cup Champions League, a rhino-themed soccer league for youth. More than just an opportunity to play the game, the Rhino Cup Champions League brings people together in ways that benefit the community financially through local venders selling their goods and services at the matches while empowering people with a variety of new skills training such as first aid, coaching, officiating, and leadership. Recognizing all this was made possible by their black rhino creates a love, appreciation, and pride for these majestic animals. And the Minnesota Zoo Foundation is proud to be the first full sponsor of the newly launched Girls Rhino Cup Youth Champions League, aimed around empowering young women in the community.
The Zoo and Foundation’s support of SRT and rhino conservation is just one of many wildlife saving initiatives they invest in. From on-the-ground work with conservation biologists to collaborative research initiatives with both zoo and wild animals to financial support of local and international conservation programs — the Zoo is taking active, collaborative steps to save wildlife, and you can too. Join the Minnesota Zoo Foundation with your gift today. You’ll invest in conservation efforts like these and help create a better future to people, animals, and our planet.
Blog curtesy of the Minnesota Zoo
Photo Credit: Marcus Best
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