England pacemen Stuart Broad and Steven Finn have joined the fight against rhino poaching after visiting the Shamwari Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre this week.
The loss of rhino is one of the most significant conservation issues facing South Africa and the England duo were given a rare opportunity to see first hand the steps being made to save the animal’s population.
Broad and Finn met representatives from Investec Rhino Lifeline at Shamwari where most poignantly they witnessed the recovery of a white rhino that was brutally attacked last year and to learn about the protection, rescue and rehabilitation of rhino.
They also assisted experienced wildlife vet Dr Johan Joubert and anti-poaching expert Rodney Visser as they carried out a DNA and tagging procedure on a young male white rhino.
These complex procedures are vital in the effort to track and protect these animals from increasingly sophisticated poachers.
Awesome few days with #InvestecRhinoLifeline. Outstanding efforts by the team to help the Rhino population survive. pic.twitter.com/CeJ7QzQWNR
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) January 9, 2016
“As an Investec ambassador it’s been an eye-opening experience to learn more about the efforts of Investec Rhino Lifeline,” Broad said.
“We hope by coming on this trip we can raise awareness of the plight of rhino in South Africa, which is now close to our hearts.”
Finn added: “Coming from the UK I didn’t realise what a huge issue the rhino faces. This has been an educational few days and I hope our work today will encourage followers of cricket to learn more about this crisis.”
Tanya Dos Santos, head of Investec Rhino Lifeline, added: “It was an amazing opportunity to introduce Stuart and Steven to some of our country’s incredible wildlife and for them to be personally touched by the magnificence of rhino.
“The future of the species depends on the passion of our youth, and we hope these cricketers will able to reach and inspire young people to become future conservation heroes.”
The Investec Rhino Lifeline was established by Investec in 2012 to respond to the rhino crisis with its aim to raise awareness about the issue in South Africa and Vietnam.
Source: ECB