Save the Rhinos,
the EAZA Rhino Campaign 2005/6
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North Americans join Europe in campaigning to Save the Rhinos
Zoos in North America will soon have the opportunity to participate in a Save the Rhinos Campaign that was catalyzed by and complements the EAZA Save the Rhinos Campaign in Europe. The North American campaign will be managed by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) in partnership with the Rhino Advisory Group/Species Survival Plans of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA RAG/SSP) and Ecko Unlimited.Unlike EAZA, AZA does not have a tradition of association-wide species campaigns. However, a recent development opened the door for zoos to participate in a campaign organised by IRF. In August 2005, the AZA RAG/SSP and IRF formalised the historic bond between IRF programmes in the wild and RAG/SSP activities involving rhinos in North American zoos. Signing a memorandum of understanding, the RAG/SSP and IRF agreed to work closely to identify, rank, and fund field projects and research consistent with the in situ and ex situ conservation priorities of RAG/SSP institutions and IRF's mission.
The concept of a North American campaign was also ignited by the multi-year commitment to IRF in January 2005 by Marc Ecko, founder and CEO of Ecko Unlimited, a remarkably successful young New York urban wear company that uses the rhino logo. Ecko has joined IRF in publicising the need for rhino conservation - a highlight is the Save the Rhinos rock concert held in New York City's Central Park last June that reached a whole new constituency.
The North American campaign is focused on three critically endangered species of rhino - the black rhino, greater one-horned rhino, and Sumatran rhino - with the goal of reinforcing protection measures and expanding rhino populations and ranges. The fundraising goal is US$850,000 (€744,830) to supplement the US$1,150,000 (€1,007,710) in funds already pledged to IRF programmes. The campaign will target the approximately ninety zoos in North America with rhinos, as well as corporations, foundations, and individual donors. This campaign launches publicly in January 2006.
For information about the North American Save the Rhinos Campaign, please contact: Julie Anton Dunn, campaign manager (e-mail: NASavetheRhinos@rhinos-irf.org)
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