The initial donation was used to purchase containers to set up a medical boma for Absa, the rhino who was so savagely attacked last year. Unfortunately, Absa died before he could be moved to the medical boma. The containers are now being used to set up a veterinary and conservation interpretation centre which is across the road from Aquila Private Game Reserve.
This latest donation from TFG, together with a donation from V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, will be used to produce branded cycle shirts for the upcoming Argus Cycle Tour. Once made, the shirts are to be sold from the "Saving Private Rhino" stand at the Argus Cycle Tour Expo which is being held from 8-10 March 2012 at the Good Hope Centre. The sale of the shirts is expected to raise over R100 000, all of which is to be donated to the "Saving Private Rhino" initiative. In addition, the cyclists who buy and wear the shirts for the race will help to raise awareness.
"It takes great determination and endurance to cycle a race like the Pick 'n Pay Argus Cycle Tour and it is with the same level of determination and endurance that we have taken on the privilege of protecting our rhino heritage. I look forward to see an army of rhino supporters cycling the Argus," said Searl Derman, CEO of Aquila Private Game Reserve and founder of "Saving Private Rhino".
