Holiday Shoppers Can Help Africa's Rhinos on Black (Rhino) Friday
With 1,020 of South Africa's rhinos killed by poachers so far this year, African Wildlife Foundation urges consumers to maximize their dollars while shopping this Black Friday
WASHINGTON, Nov. 25, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As holiday shoppers in the United States head to the stores the day after Thanksgiving for bargain deals, Africa's rhinos are getting a raw deal, according to the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). The African conservation group is urging shoppers to help protect Africa's remaining 25,000 rhinos this holiday season by doing what they do best: shopping.
"Black rhinos are critically endangered and, along with their white rhino cousins, are facing extinction in Africa unless we act," says African Wildlife Foundation Vice President of Marketing and Philanthropy Craig Sholley. "Americans can help save rhinos as they hit the stores this Friday—what we at African Wildlife Foundation are calling 'Black Rhino Friday'—and throughout the rest of the holiday season."
Specifically, shoppers can:
- Do their holiday shopping through online sites such as iGive.com, iMyne.com and Amazon Smile. All three sites donate a percentage of the money shoppers spend to charities of their choice. AWF is registered at each of these sites.
- Make a direct, tax-deductible donation to groups such as AWF to support anti-poaching efforts. Visit www.awf.org/rhinofriday.
- Join the #BlackRhinoFriday social media campaign, which challenges consumers to give back and get involved on this traditionally retail-oriented day.
Demand for rhino horn—believed incorrectly in Asia to have curative properties—is driving a thriving black market trade, which has resulted in increased poaching in Africa. Last week, South Africa reported a record number of rhinos—1,020—lost to poachers since the beginning of 2014.
AWF has established a US$10 million Emergency Response Fund to combat poaching and wildlife trafficking in Africa. Via this fund, AWF's efforts to save the rhino include supporting anti-poaching patrols, placing sniffer dogs at ports in Africa, and supporting celebrity-studded public service announcements in Asia.
"The smallest gestures can sometimes make the biggest difference," says Sholley.
About African Wildlife Foundation
African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) is a leading conservation organization headquartered in Kenya and registered as a 501(c)(3) in the United States. For more information, visit www.awf.org, follow us on Twitter @AWF_Official and Facebook at facebook.com/AfricanWildlifeFoundation.
To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holiday-shoppers-can-help-africas-rhinos-on-black-rhino-friday-300001408.html
SOURCE African Wildlife Foundation
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