Short Story
Meet Dylan Jackson, a father of four with a supportive wife by his side. Dylan is immersed in the property industry, specializing in marketing and real estate along the Dolphin Coast. He describes himself as easygoing and adaptable, toggling between introversion and extroversion, with a newfound appreciation for quieter moments, especially when spent with family.
Dylan’s athletic pursuits have included conquering challenges like the Comrades in 2010, along with several marathons and half-marathons. Nowadays, he prefers the tranquility of shorter trail runs and the thrill of mountain biking, often participating in stage races.
Driven by a profound desire to give back, Dylan is drawn to causes that align with his passion for nature and the great outdoors. As someone who has explored game reserves extensively, he has been deeply moved by the dedication and resilience of the rangers.
Their unwavering commitment to protecting wildlife embodies timeless values of connection with the land and nature. Inspired by their efforts, Dylan is gearing up to take on a 100-kilometer run through Babanango’s game reserve, in support of their cause.
Join Dylan in activating generosity by donating now.
Story
Babanango Game Reserve, located in the heart of Zululand, Kwazulu-Natal, is a showcase for one of the most ambitious rewilding projects in Southern Africa in recent years. Set among the breathtaking topography of the upper White Umfolozi River Valley, the reserve occupies a vast wilderness area of over 20,000 hectares that is steeped in Zulu history and layered upon geological features that date back to the beginning of time. The rugged mountains and valleys provide refuge for an extraordinary diversity of birds, plants, insects, reptiles, and mammals, including the elusive aardvark and aardwolf.
Visitors to Babanango Game Reserve can be assured of an unrivalled safari experience due to highly knowledgeable guides and a range of activities to choose from. Significant historical battle sites, such as Isandlwana and Rorkeās Drift, are located close by.
Project Rhino was launched on World Rhino Day, 22 September 2011. It is a rhino-focussed association that brings together a provincial government conservation body, private and community-owned reserves, rhino owners, leading conservation NGOs and anti-poaching security specialists in the common aim of fighting wildlife crime.
Together with South Africaās Kruger National Park, Project Rhino member reserves are collectively responsible for the protection of the worldās largest rhino population, as well as the most genetically diverse white rhino population. Devastatingly, our rhino have become a target for highly organised poaching rings and crime syndicates, fuelled largely by an ongoing and unfounded demand by traditional Eastern medicine. Rhino numbers have plummeted ā more than 8,000 have been lost in RSA in the last decade ā whilst the costs of keeping the remaining populations safe have increased astronomically.
Project Rhino initiatives range from urgent anti-poaching and wildlife crime interventions to a long-term outlook focused on developing empowered communities who own, manage and protect the Conservation Economy.
Project Rhinoās Four Pillars of Support
The Project Rhino platform ensures that efforts to protect white and black rhino populations are coherent and avoids duplication of work. It collaborates with anti-poaching and wildlife economy initiatives throughout southern Africa to share strategies and best practices. Project Rhino follows a four-pronged approach:
Co-ordination Unit: The team that keeps the engines running: 1) mobilising stakeholders; 2) gathering and synthesising anti-poaching intelligence; 3) prioritising needs; and 4) sourcing funds and donations. Without effective coordination, we would see a disjointed and dysfunctional response to wildlife crime ā resulting in higher poaching numbers.
Ranger and Technical Support: Direct training equipment support to rangers, anti-poaching technologies, dehorning interventions, equipping, and supporting the K9 and Equine units, and the ZAP-Wing aerial surveillance unit, including the lease and support costs of the airfield at Hluhluwe, northern KZN.
Wildlife Youth & Leadership Development (WYLD): Interaction and education of youth and wildlife communities through Rhino (Wild) Art, Youth Camps, Leadership Forums, World Youth Wildlife Summit and others. Helping to build our current and future conservation champions through supportive platforms.
Conservation Economy and Enterprise: Supporting livelihoods by building a network of responsible use landscapes that provide opportunities for local job creation and small business development, including permaculture food gardens.