Spearheading the project is Amdec Group's chairman, John Wilson, a keen and accomplished photographer and wildlife conservationist. "My wife Astra and I first explored the Kruger National Park with our family in 1982, and we have since made countless visits to Kruger, the Maasai Mara, Sabi Sands and many other parks and reserves."
Each year Wilson produces a calendar for family and friends. Following the success of his 2014 Maasai Mara calendar, he shifted his focus to rhinos for the 2015 calendar. "A calendar is an appropriate reminder that time is running out for Africa's rhinoceros. After all, having survived for millions of years, over the last five decades, the world's rhino population has decreased by 90%. The fact remains that if current levels of rhino poaching continue, rhinos in the wild will be extinct by 2020."
Amdec first launched the Amdec Save Our Rhinos Trust Fund. Wilson then selected the best of his 1,100 rhino photographs for the design and print of 750 large wall calendars, 500 of which he sent to colleagues, partners, clients and friends. 250 calendars were donated to the Mark Boucher Castle Lager Legacy Rhinos project. At the outset, Wilson promised to match every rand donated to The Amdec Save Our Rhinos Trust Fund.
"The calendars are dedicated to the SANParks Honorary Rangers Conservation Services National Project, and all proceeds are aimed at boosting its activities in the Kruger National Park area. These passionate volunteers give freely of their time and skills to support what is dear to my heart and to our heritage as a nation. Every rand donated is utilised to purchase equipment to fight poaching," Wilson says.
David Webster, vice-chairperson of the SANParks Honorary Rangers, underlined the importance of turning the tide of the rhino poaching war.
"The Amdec Save Our Rhinos Trust Fund is in its infancy phase. Next year, we will offer our donors opportunity for their names and company logos to feature in our 'Cats of Sabi Sands' calendar, as part of a larger 'Save Our Rhinos' collaboration and as a springboard for more initiatives and a greater communication forum," Wilson concludes.
