American Association of Zoo Keepers: bowling for rhinos

When black rhino Diceros biconrnis populations plummeted in the 1980s because of poaching, zoo keepers throughout North America took action to raise funds for conservation of the species: thus the Bowling For Rhinos fund-raiser began. At the same time as they spread the word about the plight of the black rhino, zoo keepers organized annual fund-raisers to secure money from the public to conserve rhinos in the wild. Since 1990 the American Association of Zoo keepers (AAZK) has sponsored Bowling For Rhinos, which has now raised over USD 4.3 million for conservation. Over 70 AAZK chapters participate throughout the USA and Canada, raising more than USD 300,000 annually. The funds are sent through Lewa USA, the International Rhino Foundation, and Action for Cheetahs in Kenya. The Association is currently developing a new campaign, in Australia. The funds raised by Bowling For Rhinos supports Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (formerly Ngare Sergoi rhino sanctuary) in Kenya, Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia, Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park and Way Kambas in Sumatra, and Manas National Park in India. As well as contributing to saving all five rhino species, the funding helps secure organisms ranging in size from orchids to elephants. Conservation of rhino habitat is also helping to conserve the Endangered Grevy's zebra and the Critically Endangered hirola. The Bowling For Rhinos fund-raiser is now preparing for its 24th year. The programme is run entirely by volunteers, enabling 100% of all donations to go directly to conservation in the field. For more information please see http://aazkbfr.org