This Saturday, on 3rd October we been to this event, ‘Families march Against Extinction’ organized by Rhino Conservation Dubai at Kings School. Same time (Oct 3rd and 4th) people throughout the world to be precise from 136 cities globally marched as once voice against extinction.
More than 36,000 elephants are being killed every year so their tusks can be carved into ivory trinkets. A rhino is slaughtered once every 6 hours for its horn. If this continues within the next decade our two largest land mammals will only remain in captivity.
The march arranged at Kings Dubai was the only march in the entire Middle East! Everyone came wearing black or white in empathy with rhinos. There were a lot of activities for families and mainly children attending the march. One of it was banner for the march.
There was also decorate a rhino competition. Students from their primary school made cut-outs of 797 rhinos representing 797 rhinos lost in South Africa this year. Children attending this march decorated them creatively. It was a very educational activity, as my son can now always remember how rhino looks and “there can not be a rhino without its horn”. A big message! isn’t it? After decorating rhinos they were placed in Africa shaped yard, where they belong.
Patsy Stagman of Rhino Conservation Dubai told her in a speech the actual situation of this issue. Kruger National Park in South Africa which is home to 78% of planets remaining rhinos has 12 poaching gangs, with only 50 rangers to night patrol 6,000 square miles. Horn poached reaches Hanoi within 30 hours and we live in between two! If our generation doesn’t take action now, our children might not inherit wildlife in Africa and Asia.
But as a hope Airlines, shipping lines and airports are starting to close up the trade routes. Emirates airlines are would a leader in this issue. Education in Vietnam and China might be impacting the demand at last. Result of media attention and celebrating promoting the cause; sentences for poaching and wildlife trafficking are increasing.
The enthusiastic crowd at the march, was a great example of how people relate themselves to this crisis. Parents supporting and helping their children in taking part in activities at the march, as well as awareness and creativity in children both was equally appreciable.
We couldn’t help but buy a beautiful handmade crochet rhino from the stalls at the march. The proceedings from the sale went in developing Rhino Revolution facility in South Africa. This facility will be soon be functional and will take care of orphaned calves and rhinos.
We definitely are going to take part in the next march and are determined to find more ways to get involved in this cause more actively. Hope to see you there next year!
