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Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles and Wilderness Foundation Africa (WFA), are celebrating 10 years of protecting South Africa’s rhino population.

South Africa has the highest concentration of rhino in the world. The rhino plays a key role in the ecosystem and is important for the country’s eco-tourism

“We are honoured to contribute to the conservation of the endangered rhino population in South Africa. Through the partnership with WFA and the sponsorship of the Amaroks, we want to ensure that our children are able to see and appreciate this majestic creature in the future,” said Andile Dlamini, Head of VWSA Group Communication.

Since 2011, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has supported WFA’s Forever Wild Rhino Protection programme through the sponsorship of double-cab Amaroks which operate in South Africa’s rhino population hot spots in Kwa-Zulu Natal, Mpumalanga, North West, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

Over the past decade, the fleet of sponsored Volkswagen Amaroks has travelled a total of 2 251 119 kilometres protecting the endangered rhino population. This year alone the Amaroks have covered a total of 217 914 kilometres. The Amaroks support on the ground activities ranging from anti-poaching patrols, wildlife crime investigation support, aerial operations and rhino population management.

This year, the Amaroks have been assisting with:

• Training Environmental Monitors in conjunction with the South African Police Service and assisting with wildlife crime investigations.
• Camera trap set-ups to assist with rhino monitoring, aerial support operations and monitoring of rhino.
• Rhino notching procedures, security patrols and anti-poaching operations.
• Transportation of anti-poaching rangers, fence patrol and fence maintenance and general reserve management.
• Planning of a new project that seeks to establish a new population of the other endangered rhino species.

Issued by Volkswagen