As the threat to the rhinoceros increases across Africa, the spotlight is turned onto South Africa, which has more than seventy percent of all the rhinos remaining on the continent.

We must not underestimate the danger facing rhinos in South Africa, which includes those on reserves and ranches belonging to the private sector. There is an important need to be well-acquainted with prevailing conditions, and to establish good communication and cooperation between the private landowners owning rhino and the relevant authorities and communities surrounding protected areas.

Rhinos are a priceless asset, and the purpose of AROA is to bring together owners of both species in a effort to maintain their survival chances in countries where the private landowner has either invested in both species of rhinoceros or are the custodians of these animals.

The African Rhino Owners Association seeks:

• To promote the conservation and protection of both species of Arican rhinoceros on private land throughout Africa.
  




• To promote sustainable utilisation of rhinoceros, especially efforts to establish and support a legal trade in rhinoceros parts.
  




• To promote a high standards of ethics and proper management in the sport hunting of the species.
  




• To establish a data base to gather and store confidential information on all status records and management information on rhino.
  




• To keep information pertaining to rhinoceros populations on private land confidential to the Association; only to be given out with express approval of the owner.
  




• To work closely with and cooperate with non-governmental organisations and institutions involved in rhinoceros conservation, especiallly the African Rhino Specialist Group, Rhino Management Group, Endangered Species Protection Unit, Endangered Wildlife Trust, WWF-SA, the Rhino and Elephant Foundation, TRAFFIC and CITES.
  




• To promote a sound working relationship with the relevant official conservation agencies.
  




• To work towards the upliftment and training of the rangers and scouts whose job it is to protect rhinos in the field.
  




• To support any effort necessary to halt the illegal trade and slaughter of rhinos, and to adhere to all present regulations governing trade in products of the species.
  




• To support the aims and objectives of the Rhino & Elephant Foundation, of which each member of AROA will automatically become a field member.

If you are not directly involved in rhino management, but would like to support rhino conservation in Africa, then contact the Rhino and Elephant Foundation at the same address.

They, and the rhinos of Africa, need your support!

- Your link with Africa's Wildlife! WildNet Africa (Pty.) Ltd - E-Mail basecamp@wildnetafrica.com PO Box 73528, Lynnwood Ridge 0040, South Africa Tel : +27 ( 12) 991-3083     ---     Fax : +27 ( 12) 991-3851