African Wildlife & Environment Issue 81

FAUNA, FLORA & WILDLIFE

well as a host of workable solutions. How could one effectively get such a grouping together in this modern day and age? This is where a new Non-Government Organisation (NGO) reached out and provided exactly this solution in a fresh and innovative way, without arrogance and not wanting to usurp any other existing organisation already doing good work, but filling a very important niche. This Non-Profit is called Private Association of Rhino Conservation Reserves (PARC Reserves) and was founded by some very influential leaders in the private reserves and NGO arena.With the intense pressure that is being brought to bear on our National and Provincial Parks, the private reserves will need to play a very important role in ensuring we conserve our biodiversity in perpetuity, in particular rhinos. PARC Reserves is a voluntary association with general members that has been established to represent a subset of private reserves that protect ecologically significant, free-ranging populations of Black and/or White Rhinoceros in South Africa for the purposes of conservation and ecotourism only. The aim is to distinguish the considerable contribution of these properties to rhino conservation from the highly contentious trade debate, and to provide these properties, as members of PARC Reserves, with a sincere and unencumbered voice in discussions on the future of rhino conservation in the country. Membership criteria are strict, to ensure representation of private properties with a demonstrated track record of significant investment into the protection of their rhino with no agenda, other than conservation and ecotourism. It is anticipated that this subset of private reserves will play an increasingly significant role in the protection and persistence of South Africa’s rhino herd. The aims of PARC Reserves are as follows: 1. To promote the responsible management, conservation and protection of all species and sub-species of rhino indigenous to South Africa, by supporting and advancing the interests of its members as custodians of rhino on private property. 2. To represent and promote the interests of private properties where the primary land use

is focused on eco-tourism and biodiversity conservation, and where ecologically significant populations of rhino are free-ranging in natural habitat. 3. To lead, facilitate and coordinate collaborative initiatives, communicate, and advance new and innovative solutions, and function as a catalyst for best practice and lessons learned with specific focus on: a. Biological and biodiversity management, to conserve genetic diversity and ensure that populations are stable or increasing. b. The combatting of rhino poaching through protection and security efforts. c. Research and support. 4. To influence the formulation of applicable and feasible policy and legislative frameworks, and to foster and encourage constructive political support for rhino conservation and protection, by engaging with relevant governmental and/or non-governmental organisations as and when required. 5. To facilitate, articulate, demonstrate and have recognised the contribution of member reserves to intrinsic social-economic benefit, improved livelihoods, and empowerment of local people. 6. To explore and develop sustainable mechanisms and structures to fund, incentivise and benefit private rhino conservation efforts. 7. To provide a platform to communicate and promote the efforts and contribution of private reserves committed to and ensuring the conservation of rhinos. Reading these objectives, it became very apparent that this was something that the Selati Game Reserve was willing to sign up for as a member, and it also opened opportunities to be represented at higher-level forums, which had been lacking in the past. A collective effort has always been more effective, than just trying to go it all alone. Knowing you are also now part of a brotherhood that understands your problems and aspirations, is truly inspiring. What I love about PARC Reserves, is that they are not trying to re- invent the wheel, but helping to fill in the blatant gaps that exist, and recognising what an important role the larger private reserves will be playing in the future.

36 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 81 (2022)