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News > ODs Around the World > Michael Wright (2014B): Helping the Rhinos R1 at a time

Michael Wright (2014B): Helping the Rhinos R1 at a time

On Monday 6 January Michael Wright (2014B) posted a picture on Instagram pledging to donate R1 for every like. On Wednesday 8 January the picture had over 10 000.

I recently posted a photo on Instagram pledging to pay R1.00 for every like that the post received; the post subsequently received over 11 000 likes, meaning that I am trying to raise R11 000.
 
The post came about after I watched a friend of mine dressed in full camouflage, wielding an AK-47 with a red-dot sight, and being weighed down by a bulletproof vest, set out on an evening patrol. 
 

On Monday 6 January Michael Wright (2014B) posted a picture on Instagram pledging to donate R1 for every like. On Wednesday
8 January the picture had over 10 000.


For many years I have gone to a game reserve near Hoedspruit. I grew up there during my holidays, pointing my infant-fingers at hyena and lion, unaware of the dangers that the bush presents.
 
I got older and became more vested in the bush. As my chiropractor told me today, there is just a brutal honesty in the bush. The brutal honesty is ruled by a natural food chain of which life revolves around. You live or you die, there is no real middle ground.

This brutal honesty stops when the killing occurs outside of the food chain. Poaching, specifically rhino poaching, often occurs due to non-diet related reasons, by non-food chain inhibiting specimens (foreign humans). Demand for rhino horn is leading to the poaching of rhino (naturally), and the animals are being shot ubiquitously. 
 
Two years before I watched my friend march into the thick foliage present in the December period, the same group of people on the reserve would have just served as game rangers, carrying a hunting rifle for safety, possibly a Leatherman.
 
It was this sight of a fully militarised game ranger friend that made my head spin, and I realised just how desperately these guys need any help they can get. 
 
Whether the money goes towards training, aeroplane or helicopter scouting flights, or even just extra clean uniforms that will decrease the time pressures that they face in mundane daily routine, it will all go towards the protection of the rhino and, in turn, all other animals that live in the same area.
 
You may call me on 078 557 6861 if you have any further questions regarding my campaign to raise funds for my friend's unit, or kindly (and with confidence that I am being honest in my fundraising) donate any amount to the details below.
 
Nedbank Claremont
Savings Account
Branch code: 104609
Acc #: 2046 549 643
 
I’m going to collect all the different payments and then send them through as one to the game reserve. 
 
Please reference your full name and surname followed by “APU fund”.
 
(APU = anti-poaching unit). 
 
Then please send P.O.P. to [email protected] 
 
I seriously appreciate the help.


- Michael Wright (2014B)

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