Supporting Wilderness Foundation Africa’s conservation efforts to protect 11 new baby rhinos
Cypress, Calif. – November 17, 2020 – African Travel, Inc. and The TreadRight Foundation are calling on North American Travel Advisors to help name a rare male baby rhino, discovered by their project partner, Wilderness Foundation Africa on a reserve in South Africa.
Submissions will be accepted at https://africantravelinc.com/content/name-baby-rhinofrom November 17th to December 1st, 2020. If an advisor’s name is selected, they will receive a free educational journey to Africa in 2021 or 2022*
The final name selection will be made by Ami Vitale, TreadRight’s ‘Wildlife’ Ambassador and award-winning National Geographic magazine photographer who captured the final moments of Sudan, the world’s last male northern white rhino alive on the planet in Kenya.
The Eastern Cape Province in South Africa is home to the third largest endangered black rhino population in the world, and evidence shows it is currently a high-risk target for poachers. Because rhinos prefer thick vegetation, aerial surveillance is necessary and plays a critical part in both wildlife security, and in tracking and improving the management of rhino populations. ATI is a founding partner of The TreadRight Foundation which is invested in protecting and rehabilitating the world’s wildlife by partnering with leading wildlife organizations, through its Wildlife Pillar.
Since 2017, TreadRight has partnered with Wilderness Foundation Africa to aid in rhino conservation efforts by funding the purchase and operations of a Bat Hawk – a light aircraft used to monitor and protect rhinos from poaching in provincial nature reserves and national parks in the Eastern Cape. The regular surveillance through monitoring flights by the Bat Hawk in the known rhino poaching hotspots is contributing to the safekeeping of this endangered population.
Since the start of 2020, 19 new baby rhinos have been discovered and protected within the rhino population, 11 of which were first detected in the TreadRight-funded Bat Hawk. As a thank you, Wilderness Foundation Africa has given ATI and TreadRight the invaluable honor of naming one of these precious new baby rhinos.
“The sustainability of Africa’s wildlife and protection of local cultures will always be our most paramount concern. Our social responsibility is to have a positive impact on the people and communities we visit, to help protect wild and marine life, and to care for the planet we all call home,” says Sherwin Banda, president of African Travel, Inc. “We believe wildlife conservation is an important element of sustainable travel and we couldn’t be more grateful to have this special opportunity to share with our North American Travel Advisor community and clients,” he adds.
ATI and TreadRight’s support of Wilderness Foundation Africa work to advance the United Nations Global Goal 15, Life on Land, through its joint effort in combatting poaching and trafficking of rhinos that are vital to this ecosystem, as well as Global Goal 8, Decent Work and Economic Growth, through its employment of intelligence and police support for specialized wildlife crime units, contributing to a higher employment rate.
After the name submissions are received, African Travel Inc. will select the shortlisted names and Ami Vitale will be making the final decision. The winning Travel Advisor will be chosen and announced on December 14, 2020 and the winner will receive further details about African Travel’s new educational program to choose a date and destination.
For more information on TreadRight’s conservation efforts, its work around the world and how you can help #MakeTravelMatter, please visit TreadRight.org.
Terms and Conditions:
The “Name a Baby Rhino” is open to travel advisors in the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, and Canada, and must be 18 years or older as of date of entry. Entries for the contest must be received prior to no later than 11:59PM PST, December 1, 2020. Prize is (1) complimentary spot on a 2021 or 2022 educational trip to Southern or East Africa. Trip includes 7 to 9 nights hotel and lodge accommodations, intra-Africa economy air, transfers and select safari experiences. Prizes are non-transferable and awarded “as is”, with no substitutions.
About African Travel, Inc. – “We Know Africa”:
For over 40 years, African Travel, Inc. has created luxury, handcrafted safaris ensuring immersive and authentic cultural encounters across the continent. “We Know Africa” because our passionate and knowledgeable experts have lived and traveled extensively throughout Africa and can craft extraordinary, unforgettable vacations tailored to each guest’s individual needs and preferences, with exceptional service every step of the way. For information and inspiration, visit AfricanTravelInc.com.
About The TreadRight Foundation:
TreadRight is a joint not-for-profit initiative established by The Travel Corporation’s (TTC) family of brands. TreadRight sets the direction on sustainability for 40 award-winning brands, in addition to overseeing our TreadRight Foundation. The organization’s singular mission is to #MakeTravelMatter through brand operations, and by providing support to community-based projects worldwide that safeguard the planet, people and wildlife. To date, the foundation has supported 55+ sustainable tourism projects in 280+ communities worldwide, based on priorities set by the TreadRight Steering Committee. Past project partners include WWF, Conservation International, WildAid and The National Trust in the UK, while current initiatives include Manitobah Mukluks Storyboot School, Wilderness Foundation Africa and Wildlife SOS. TreadRight also works with inspiring ambassadors who have a passion for sustainable travel, to support its voice within the sustainable travel community. These ambassadors include Céline Cousteau (‘Planet’ Ambassador), Sarain Fox (‘People’ Ambassador), Ami Vitale (‘Wildlife’ Ambassador) and Costas Christ. To learn more about past and current work at TreadRight, please visit TreadRight.org and follow TreadRight on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using our hashtag #MakeTravelMatter. We will make travel matter – for our planet, for people and for wildlife. We have taken the pledge, now we invite you to join us.
About Wilderness Foundation Africa:
Wilderness Foundation Africa works from its base in South Africa to protect and sustain wildlife and wilderness through integrated conservation and education programmes. Whether it is direct action anti-poaching in the field, large landscape wilderness management, or developing rising young leaders from disadvantaged communities for a career in conservation, the Wilderness Foundation has over 45 years of results. For more information, please visit WildernessFoundation.co.za and follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.