Credit: Save the Rhino International

Protecting rhinos

We exist to save rhinos and grow the global population.

We ensure that ranger teams have the kit they need to protect rhinos

Image shows wildlife ranger out on patrol protecting rhino from poachers

We ensure that ranger teams have the kit they need to do their job. In the last decade, more than 1,000 rangers worldwide have lost their lives in the line of duty, yet they often don’t have the basic equipment they need to protect rhino populations.

Through providing the best basics we can – like good quality shoes, backpacks and accommodation – we make sure rangers like Dean have the best chance to stay safe and protect wildlife.

“It’s dangerous, yes. But I love my work,” says Dean, “If you asked me to do any other job I wouldn’t want to, because I am protecting wildlife for our future and my children’s future”.

We expand canine units across the projects we fund, helping to apprehend poachers

A ranger and his dog search a truck for rhino horn. — *Credit: Tristan Vince*

Tracking and detection dogs are an invaluable addition to field programmes’ anti-poaching patrols and technologies.

Dog squads are used to detect illegally smuggled wildlife products, track and apprehend poachers and find lost children and stolen property. We have been able to expand canine units across the projects we fund, helping to apprehend poaching criminals.

We love rhino and look after them at every stage of their struggle

Through the funds we raise, we give money to planned and emergency veterinary interventions and browse and supplements for rhino calves being hand-reared in bomas or bred in the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary, expansion of the bomas, and transmitters and radio frequency tags to help track rhinos in the wild.

We help protect all five rhino species, with an emphasis on the three Critically Endangered species: Black, Sumatran and Javan rhinos.

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"The successes we have seen from the field programmes we support, as well as the ongoing support of our donors, friends, and partners, even in the face of the enormous challenges, give us hope that all five rhino species will, eventually, thrive in the wild."

Cathy Dean, CEO of Save the Rhino International

Where we work

Find our projects that protect rhinos by clicking on the bright sunset icons.

Select a marker on the map below or choose from this list:

Protecting Rhinos

Reducing Illegal Horn Trade

Involving Communities

Bringing Experts Together

Stories from our work

Critically Endangered Image of Sumatran rhino in Indonesia.

Credit: Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary

Expanding facilities to grow populations

With only 80 individual animals left in the wild, the Sumatran rhino is one of the most endangered large mammals on Earth. Thanks to your support and donations, we’ve helped to double the capacity of the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary for holding and breeding Sumatran rhinos. This is a major achievement towards saving this magnificent species from the brink of extinction!

Getting equipment to rangers

We’ve been supporting the tireless work of rangers at Save the Rhino Trust, who daily battle the harsh environment to monitor and protect Namibia’s desert-adapted black rhino. Together with your funds, we’ve helped to pay for ranger salaries, new rations and uniforms, and for vehicle maintenance costs. Coinciding with increase in ranger patrols, poaching has continued to decline across Namibia. This is a fantastic achievement and a credit to the dedicated team.

Raising funds to make a change

Funds raised in the Save the Rhino’s Rhino Dog Squad appeal that we launched in 2015 have now begun to make a real difference for canine units in Kenya. Our Rhino Dog Squad appeal raised over £60,000, split equally between the three canine units at Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Ol Jogi and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy in Kenya. Some field programmes have been able to expand their canine units, and poaching numbers in Kenya in 2017 were significantly down from those killed in 2013 -2016.