SAVA Rhino Fund — Education
The last decade has seen a 4500 percent increase in the number of rhinos poached in South Africa.
The current onslaught on rhinos in South Africa is the second wave against the species in recent history. The mid 60’s saw them teetering on the brink of extinction through socio-political issues. The current rate of poaching brings the tipping point for the species’ survival closer every day.
The South African Veterinary Association, the collective, voluntary, representative organisation for veterinarians in South Africa, has played a pivotal role in coordinating efforts from the veterinary profession’s side to assist in the war against rhino poaching. The SAVA Rhino Fund was created to further this initiative. As a professional organisation, we realise that the solution to this crisis needs a multi-disciplinary approach in which vets will always play a vital role. The South African
The Veterinary Association is involved in mobilising educational efforts both for veterinarians and the public. Country-wide veterinary workshops have been arranged to enable veterinarians to share knowledge and experience regarding the best treatment available for animals that survive poaching. Education includes information about the use of veterinary drugs and the regulations related to the use of these drugs. The workshops also focus on the management of any rhino poaching incident crime scene, the collection of evidence for forensic investigation and ways to prevent rhino poaching.
The Veterinary Association has been very active in educating children at schools, informing them what the fuss is about, and equipping them with the truth about rhino horn.
The SAVA Rhino fund has enabled the Association to be involved in educating the public by means of information brochures and speaking engagements at public events, facilitating media conferences, and visual media creation for local and international news networks, to create an awareness of the plight of the rhino. The SAVA also promotes and provides contact details of relevant authorities and role players to whom to report suspicious activities.
Fundraising efforts by the SAVA for the SAVA Vet Rhino Fund have included change collection tins at private veterinary hospitals and clinics, the sale of branded shirts, and the creation and sale of awareness bracelets. Further to this, the Association has also accepted donations and direct deposits of contributions.
Donations and contributions can be made directly into the SAVA accounts and should be marked SAVA Rhino Fund.
Alternatively, donations made via the sister organisation of the SAVA, the South African Veterinary Foundation, can be deducted from tax as the SAVF has Public Benefit Organisation Status. Funds can be distributed from the SAVF directly to the SAVA Rhino Fund as long as it is clearly marked SAVA Rhino Fund.
Contact & Banking Details
For tax-deductible donations via the South African Veterinary Foundation, please mark clearly SAVA Rhino Fund:
Important Info for Vets
Treatment of rhinos which have been poached using opioids: