Westwood International School pupils will on June 1 participate in “Awareness for Rhinos walk” to conscientise the public on their importance.

A press release from the school says the students have arranged the awareness walk completely on their own and people of all ages will be participating. 

It says the main goal is to raise awareness for the conservation of rhinoceros in southern Africa as they have become a critically endangered species; the poaching rate is now exceeding the birth rate, it says.

A recorded high of 5 rhinocerous were poached per day during the course of last week.  “Though our own rhinos are relatively well-protected, thanks to the superb efforts of the Botswana Defence Force and the keen patronage and interventions of Lt. General Ian Khama Seretse Khama the same cannot be said for neighbouring countries where poaching is big business,” it says.

Rginocerous are now arguably the continent’s most-endangered species and the war on poaching must move up several gears if we are not to lose a vital piece of our heritage jigsaw.

The release says walk will commence at 8am from Westwood and finish around 11am.  The participation of, and coverage by, members of the local press will be greatly appreciated as a strong weapon in the anti-poaching war. ENDS