My name is Mackenzie Coutts and I want to see a change within South African rhino poaching. This petition is to the people around the world because I believe that anyone can help make a difference. 

Reduced wildlife populations and changes in animal behaviour diminish the chance for tourists to observe wildlife. Animals become shy and harder to approach. If this continues, your children and your children’s children will not even know that rhinos exist. 

In just a decade, more than 7245 African rhinos have been lost to poaching. In January 2018, Minister Edna Molewa from South African Department of Environmental Affairs, released the 2017 poaching numbers from South Africa. 1028 rhinos were poached in 2017, a slight decline from the 1054 rhinos killed in 2016. 

Why should we care? 

Everyone should have some sort of moral responsibility to protect other species from extinction. Rhinos consume large amounts of vegetation, which helps to shape the African landscape. Protecting the areas where the rhinos roam and graze will ultimately protect habitats for other species. 

Did you know? 

There was a 9000% growth in rhino poaching between 2001-2014 in South Africa. The reason for these numbers is because poachers go for the easiest targets, and South Africa’s main crime prevention units have been failing to coordinate efforts to prevent the poaching. 

South African rhinos are beautiful creatures and because of poaching, they become closer and closer to becoming extinct. This could just as easily be happening to any other animal. We are the rhinos only chance at survival. 

Please sign this petition to support this worthy cause. For the sake of the rhinos, it’s time we make a change. Thank you!