The Ridge Casino and Entertainment Resort is putting its muscles into fighting the growing, shameless rhino poaching epidemic in South Africa and is encouraging its customers and other concerned corporate citizens to do the same.
The Ridge has taken the Friends of Loskop’s rhino anti-poaching campaign under its wing and in addition to its own sponsorship and donations in support of the campaign, The Ridge is on a concerted drive to garner support from other companies. As an incentive to support this worthwhile campaign, The Ridge Casino is offering companies four weeks free advertising exposure on plasma screens within the Casino and resort for their donation of R1 000 or more (items or cash) to Friends of Loskop.
Dawson’s Lodge (between Barberton and Badplaas) has sponsored a two-night getaway for two at the exquisite lodge worth R8 500 in aid of the cause! For a small donation of R20 and by answering an easy question, individuals will be entered into a lucky draw. Tickets for the draw are available at The Ridge reception desk, the Prive VIP counter, and at Trappers Trading. The final draw for the prize will take place at The Ridge on the 5th of March 2011.
“Rhino poaching has reached unprecedented proportions and is at the point where rhinos are losing their lives in a most gruesome and appalling manner on an almost daily basis. Sadly, the people and organisations that have taken on the task of trying to protect these creatures and put a stop to this scourge do not have the finances and resources at their disposal that the poaching syndicates have.
“Organisations like Friends of Loskop rely heavily on support from the public to continue their campaigns to stop poaching. We challenge concerned companies and citizens to take a stand against the unscrupulous and heartless poaching of South Africa’s endangered rhinos by making a contribution to this campaign which faces enormous challenges in its task to protect these precious creatures from poachers,” says Maureen Kivits, The Ridge’s GM.
In 2010 more than 300 rhinos were poached nationwide (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2011-01-12-five-rhino-poachers-killed-at-krug), with a spate of slaughters following in January and February this year. The highly-publicised slaughter of rhinos has mobilised concerned parties like friends of Loskop to step up efforts to combat the killings.
Loskop Dam Nature Reserve is situated in the Olifants River valley, + 55 km north of Middelburg in Mpumalanga. The reserve covers approximately 22 850 ha, which includes the 2 350 ha surface area of the dam. The reserve serves as a protective habitat for a substantial portion of the Mpumalanga White Rhino population.
There are a number of factors which affect the effective protection of rhinos in the area:
- The extremely hilly and inaccessible terrain
- Nearby communities
- Public roads on boundaries
- Public access to the Loskop Dam
In addition to funding to support its efforts, Friends of Loskop needs a range of equipment such as tents, torches, laptops and cameras amongst other things. The Ridge has already donated about R40 000 worth of items including torches, gun cleaning kits, rogue boots, water bottles and tents.
The Ridge Casino plans to visit Friends of Loskop on Saturday 26 March to handover monies and items it collects as part of its drive. If you would like to donate anything, please contact Susan Esterhuizen on 013 655 9314. There are a number of items on the wish list.
“We hope that we will be able to deliver all the items a needed and other much-needed equipment to the Friends of Loskop so that they can continue with their courageous campaign to protect our rhinos,” says Maureen Kivits