Let us share with you the story of Bonnie & Clyde: An exceptional rhino pair that our founder Suyash Keshari met during his time with @schotia_safaris in South Africa back in 2016.
Bonnie & Clyde suffered two poaching attacks in their lifetime. They survived the first attack, but something much more precious was lost along with their horns- A life.
Bonnie was pregnant then, but the rhino foetus was subsequently aborted. With time though, they recovered , as nature does. Their horns eventually grew back and they became quite the tourist attraction
But this wasn’t the end…
In 2023, the poachers striked again. And this time, they weren’t as merciful. Since 25% of the horn is under the Rhino’s nose, most poachers hack away almost their entire face in order to get every last bit
This is exactly what happened with Bonnie & Clyde
The Aftermath of this Rhino Poaching incedent
The Schotia Private Game Reserve had been dedicated to their protection for a long time, and this tragedy had been absolutely heartbreaking for the reserve staff and authorities.
It’s saddening that despite all the resources and effort that goes into protecting endangered animals like rhinos, the relentless pursuit, greed and aggression of poachers still leads to incidents such as this.
Why? What fuels these rhino poaching incidents?
Rhino horn is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, but increasingly common is its use as a status symbol to display success and wealth.
As rhino numbers decline, the demand and the price for their horns are increasing, leading to more rampant poaching efforts- a vicious cycle
Despite best worldwide efforts, the black rhino is considered critically endangered, with only 6,500 odd individuals left in the wild
Ameliya’s founder Suyash Keshari met Bonnie & Clyde during his time with @schotia_safaris in South Africa back in 2016. The Schotia Private Game Reserve had been dedicated to their protection for a long time, and this tragedy had been absolutely heartbreaking for the reserve staff and authorities.
Poaching and wildlife Conservation
Poaching, along with habitat loss, poses a serious threat to the preservation some of the most important wild animals.
This is why it is our mission to create conscious safari experiences that foster genuine connection between travelers and the wildlife they encounter on their journeys. This in-turn inspires people to give back and contribute towards conservation efforts.
“What we can see, we can love. And what we can love, we will fight to protect.” – Suyash Keshari
P.S. – Here’s how you can help-
1- By donating to credible organizations and rhino conservation projects such as WWF and Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
2- Many organizations have initiated programs wherein you can symbolically adopt a rhino and help provide care and protectfor them.
