Black Rhino Foundation, Inc. Gives Major Grant 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, is pleased to announce a gift in the amount of $30,000 for Rhinowatch. Rhinowatch, a black rhino monitoring program located in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe, will use the funds to sustain the on-going project now entering its fifth year. Rhinowatch is one of three black rhino conservations the BRF currently helps support.

Maggie Heydt, President, BRF, commented, "Having participated in Rhinowatch's volunteer program last September and experienced first hand their efforts and operation in Zimbabwe, I am thrilled to assist with their fundraising efforts this year. This is one of the main reasons we started the Foundation - to help rhino sanctuaries and conservation programs in Africa receive directly their much needed funds."

Zoë Jewell, Director, Rhinowatch, said, "We are delighted to receive this very generous grant for our on-going operations. This funding has provided a life-line for the project and it will allow us to continue to work throughout the coming year and plan ahead with confidence."

Rhinowatch, based at Sinamatella Camp in Hwange, was established in 1991 to census and monitor black rhino populations in Zimbabwe in conjunction with the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management. Since 1993, Rhinowatch has been developing a non-invasive and statistically reliable method of monitoring black rhino. Maggie Heydt 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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