Saving rhinos by raising cattle in Australia

I have created a charity in order to save rhinos. We raise cattle in Australia to do this.

It is called Cattle for Wildlife.

• ( http://www.cattleforwildlife.com/ )

• ABC radio interview: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-04-09/cows-doing-their-bit-for-rhinos/6380244

• Facebook group page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cattleforwildlfie/

We are based in Hobart and are currently crowd-funding. The fundraising is progress really well.

I have also had cattle raised in Victoria

The charity is an innovative program in its design.

How the charity works

• We buy and raise cattle in Australia. Farmers are paid to raise them.

• Rhino guardians receive the funds raised when the cattle are sold. They follow the progress of the cattle over a year via digital media.

• Rhino guardians are from cultures where cattle are their wealth and are integral to their culture.

• If no rhinos are poached over the course of the year, guardians receive the full amount after expenses for the farmers. Partial amounts are received if poaching has taken place.

For our pilot program we are working with Ol Pejeta Conservancy (Kenya) which has been able to increase its black rhino population, the largest in Kenya. They also have the last three Northern White rhinos. http://www.olpejetaconservancy.org/

What we aim to achieve

This program has a wide range of conservation and educational outcomes. These include:

• Changing Kenyans perceptions of wildlife (the association with cattle is at the core of this).

• Educating Australian children about other countries and cultures.

• Demonstrating that others appreciate the important work the guardians do.

What we want to achieve in the next few weeks:

• Raise awareness

• Raise funds

• Involve farmers willing to be paid to raise cattle

• Get longer term sponsorship from cattle related industries/companies

This model can be modified and applied to a whole range of situations worldwide in order to assist conservation. We would like to expand this model to a range of tribal areas within Africa as well as in other countries. This model can be applied to different farm produce and different endangered species or environments.

I am an Australian teacher who was born in Kenya and has worked there. I am also an artist and many of the rewards in our fundraiser are paintings done by me: https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/cattle-for-wildlife.
Mark Prichard