First aid course for rangers on World Rhino Day

StopRhinoPoaching.com recently completed one of its most significant projects yet.

Through a collaborative effort with ER24, Jacaranda FM, CTM and medical supply company MedDev, 205 Kruger rangers, including section rangers and the Air Wing, underwent ER24’s Tactical First Aid Course.

In addition, 145 specialised trauma packs kitted for managing gunshot wounds and heavy bleeding were deployed and each person on the course was given a tourniquet.

Founding Director of StopRhinoPoaching.com, Elise Daffue, said, “For the first time ever, there is a tactical first aid capability across Kruger National Park. Earlier this year saw the first Kruger ranger being shot by poachers. He and his fellow rangers had attended the ER24 course and as a result, knew how to manage the gunshot wound. The group had the right kit to do so, thereby saving the ranger’s life.”

StopRhinoPoaching.com’s aim

StopRhinoPoaching.com, founded in 2010, initially meant to be an independent web-based platform dedicated only to raising much-needed awareness and support for the war against rhino poaching. “I had a gnawing feeling for some time that there was something I was supposed to be doing to help rhinos. I just did not know what it was. After a particularly horrific poaching incident, the idea of the website hit me. At the time, there was little information available on rhino poaching and what was happening in South Africa. What started off as a web-based platform focusing on credible content and awareness, soon turned into a full-time responsibility of managing donations and supporting rhino reserves,” said Daffue.

All the organisation’s projects are focused on rhino protection, starting with the basics and then, helping to build capacity.

“As an example, it does not help to buy specialised technology when rangers are not adequately trained or do not have basic equipment with which to work. It also does not help to spread assistance so thinly that it is rendered ineffective, which is why we carefully selected reserves that we support. For the most part, we keep channelling funds to these areas to make them a hard target,” said Daffue.

Daffue added that the organisation’s biggest strength lies in the fact that they have strong and trusted relationships with the majority of key rhino reserves and security initiatives around the country. “This network has meant that we have been able to support strategic requirements in these areas. We have a respected work ethic, an excellent understanding of the evolving poaching threat and we are informed about our selected stakeholder’s requirements. We have the ability to scale projects according to available funding through strategic partnerships and we have a quick turnaround time in putting tangible support on the ground,” said Daffue.

The organisation’s approach of asking what is needed, rather than coming in with preconceived ideas of what they think needs to be done, has led to them growing a region-wide footprint spanning national, provincial and private reserves.

To date, StopRhinoPoaching.com has sponsored various types of training for over 420 rangers and 50 reserve managers. A total of 29 rhino dogs have been deployed with another four currently being trained. “We also do a lot of networking, relationship building and information sharing. One of the projects close to my heart is Project Embrace, a ranger wellness project that we are funding in the Kruger together with CTM and the International Rhino Foundation. We sponsor specialised psychological support for the rangers and their families, a critical intervention to curb stress levels and help prevent burn out,” said Daffue.

She added that rangers live with incredible stress, endure all kinds of hardships in the bush and sacrifice a great deal. Rangers have had to become soldiers, which is not what they originally signed up for when they chose a career in conservation, as a lot of the poaching groups now carry firearms.

“Rangers are the ones who stand between a rhino and a poacher and we need to be doing everything we possibly can to support them. They are doing their level best out there. Poaching, especially the cruelty and senseless killing, congers up all sorts of emotions. Doing this kind of work means that you do get emotionally involved. You give a lot of yourself and you grow close to the people who are out there fighting the fight every day,” said Daffue.

 

Poaching

Speaking about the extent of rhino poaching in South Africa, Daffue said that it is not going to be a short-term problem with a quick fix.

“It is ruthless and is here to stay. The reality is that our rhinos are being heavily targeted by organised crime syndicates – well connected criminals with well-developed networks. To them, rhino horn is just another commodity to make a lot of money. Gaining ground is going to take a long-term commitment at every level. I believe that the commitment thus far is paying off,” she said.

Daffue said that the escalation of poaching between 2008 to 2014 was alarming. Rhino reserves around the country mobilised and massive investment went into protection strategies. Through lessons learnt and shared, by the end of 2015 the statistics showed, for the first time, a slight decrease in the figures. “While every rhino life lost is one too many, this small victory is testimony to the tremendous efforts being made, especially when one gauges this crisis in the context of the crime threat we are facing and considers the ruthless and flexible nature of the poachers,” said Daffue.

Support and funding

To date, StopRhinoPoaching.com has channelled over R12-million to the rhino cause, all made possible by donors.

“StopRhinoPoaching.com has had the pleasure of working with some incredible people and companies, all of them determined to help in some way. People have arranged sporting events and challenges while others have held office collections. Schools have run rhino projects and children have raised funds.

“In addition, StopRhinoPoaching.com has been the NGO partner of Jacaranda FM’s Purple Rhino Project since having been established. The station’s rhino champions, Martin Bester and Barney Simon, initiated spectacular fundraising events and have continued to keep the rhino cause alive in the hearts of Jacaranda listeners. Had it not been for the incredible support from companies and the public, a lot more rhinos would have died at the hands of poachers,” said Daffue.

She added that funding support from credible organisations can truly make a difference.

“There is no greater feeling than shaking the hand of a ranger who has just completed his training – seeing his appreciation, his sense of belonging and achievement, knowing that you played a role in making that happen, being able to provide the means to teach someone new skills and to know that when he goes out there, he has a better chance of keeping himself, his fellow rangers and the rhinos he protects alive. The motivation created by donor support has been phenomenal. To know that someone cares about their wellbeing, recognises the importance of their work and has invested in them, means the world.  There are many ways to get involved and it is deeply rewarding to see the difference you make,” said Daffue.

She added that working with the ER24 team has been a rewarding experience. “They took the Tactical First Aid Course project to heart, shared their passion and experience with the rangers and have taught life-saving skills. Peter van der Spuy, Jill and Alastair Lithgow and this project have been a godsend to the rangers. Thanks so much to ER24 and all the sponsors who made this possible. Further courses are on the cards,” said Daffue.