BRF, Inc. Contributes to Rhinowatch Project

CHICAGO, IL — The Black Rhino Foundation, Inc. (BRF), a not–for–profit wildlife organization that helps support efforts to save the endangered black rhino, presented a check for $1,500 to Rhinowatch this past weekend to secure teachers’ accommodations at the first Sinamatella Primary School in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe.

Dr. Sky Alibhai and Dr. Zoe Jewell, Founders of Rhinowatch, were guest lecturers at the 1997 Earthwatch Festival of Science and Culture held October 24–26 at Harvard University in Cambridge, MA where the contribution was presented.

Rhinowatch, based at Sinamatella Camp, Hwange, was established in 1991 to census and monitor black rhino populations in Zimbabwe in conjunction with the Department of National Parks & Wildlife Management. Since 1993, Rhinowatch has been developing a non–invasive and statistically reliable method of monitoring black rhino. Project CAMERA (Census And Monitoring Endangered Rhino using spoor Analysis) is based on the simple principle that individual black rhino have unique footprints (spoor). Combining modern technology with age old tracking knowledge provided by the scouts, CAMERA proves to be a reliable, cost–effective and sustainable monitoring method.

Stressing the importance of the scouts and the vital role they play in securing the future of the black rhino, Rhinowatch recently established the first primary school for children of the Hwange National Park scouts. Dr. Alibhai emphasized, "The foundation of any successful rhino program is adequate law enforcement. If you don’t have that you might as well go home."

Maggie Heydt, President & Founder, BRF, participated in the 10 day volunteer black rhino program offered through Earthwatch this past September led by Dr.’s Alibhai and Jewell.

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