Jul 18, 2024 MISA, Motor Industry Staff Association, Martle Keyter, Rhino Connect,
MISA donated blankets to orphaned rhino calves
MISA, the Motor Industry Staff Association, donated fifty blankets to keep orphaned rhino calves warm this winter and to comfort them while honouring the wish of President Nelson Mandela to protect our environment.
“If we don’t join the fight to protect our rhinos from poaching now, our children will only know them from pictures one day. At least one rhino is killed per day. Last year almost 500 rhinos were killed for their horns,” says Martlé Keyter, MISA’s Chief Executive Officer: Operations. According to Keyter, South Africans must also be reminded this #MadibaDay of his wish that we protect our environment, which amongst others include our fresh water resources, the climate and all endangered animals and plants. Madiba said: “I dream of our vast deserts, of our forests, of all our great wildernesses. We must never forget that it is our duty to protect this environment.”
MISA donated fifty blankets to Rhino Connect, a non-profit organisation in the battle for rhino conservation, assisting the private rhino owners with dehorning, security including K9 dog units, education on how to care for orphaned rhino calves and training for veterinarian students across the globe. “This donation is the highlight of MISA’s blankets roll-out during Madiba month. More than 1 000 blankets were donated to members and non-profit organisations nationwide caring for the homeless, the elderly, the disabled and children.”
Keyter says MISA also acknowledges all the stakeholders risking their lives trying to prevent poaching. Anti-poaching units are underfunded and urgently requires support.
Tersia Jooste, Founder of Rhino Connect, says the organisation will distribute the blankets to traumatised orphaned calves to snuggle up against a warm blanket and who’s temperature needs to be maintained. “People don’t realise that rhino calves are only weaned at about two and a half years but may remain with the mother for up to five years.”
Jonathan, the calf in the photo, is only six weeks old and suffered from malnutrition. Rhino Connect also cares for David, a three month old calf left orphaned after its mother was poached in the Thabazimbi area a few months ago. “Just because we don’t read about rhino poaching that often, does not mean it is not happening. The sad reality is that we have become accustomed to it while there should be an outcry with every incident,” says Jooste.
#PROUDLYMISA #MISALEADS #MISACARES #MISAONTHEMOVE #MISAFAMILY
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