A one-off artist’s proof of a charging black rhino by Dr Jeremy Paul is one of the items being auctioned to raise money for the endangered species.
The fundraiser is being organised by Angie Goody, who was volunteering at Kariega game reserve in South Africa in 2012 when three white rhinos were attacked by poachers who took their horns for use in Asian medicine.
Two of the rhinos died from their injuries, but the third, Thandi, survived and the event, Thandi’s fundraiser, is named in its honour.
The auction, which includes a hog roast dinner, takes place at Vagabonds Rugby Club, in Douglas, from 7pm on Saturday, September 21.
Money raised will pay for tracking collars and anti-poaching patrols for the Chipembere Rhino Foundation, to make their future safer.
Angie said scientifically, rhino horn is made up of hair and nails tissue and has no medicinal benefits.
The artist’s proof is entitled Time to Move. On the back, Dr Paul has explained that the rhino ‘came charging through the bush towards us. My guide simply said: “Time to move”. We were in a Land Rover.’
To boost the total, Angie will be shaving off her hair on the night. ‘All I’m worried about is raising more funds,’ she said.
Angie will return to South Africa in January for five months. She will train as a ranger and hopefully place tracking collars on some rhinos.
Tickets for the event cost £15. Call Angie on 481786 or email ad.goody@hotmail.com
Anyone interested in having a talk about rhinos and why they are poached is also asked to get in touch. It highlights that after 50 million years, they could be extinct in just 10.
She will be giving talks at the Royal School of Veterinary Studies in Edinburgh and Edinburgh Zoo in November.
For more details go to the ‘Thandi’s Fund Raiser’ Facebook page.