We are extremely grateful to our sponsors and all the friends of Rotary who make it possible for us to offer a world class event and maximise the funds we raise for charity and community initiatives.
One of the charitable causes we are supporting this year will be the APNR Southern Ground-Hornbill Project.
They are listed globally as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN as of 2018 and as ‘Endangered’ in South Africa, Lesotho, Namibia and Eswatini.
These birds found solely in Africa, are carnivores, hunting mostly on the ground and living on insects and small vertebrates. They live for up to 50-60 years in the wild and reach sexual maturity from 4- 6 years and only breed at around 10 years old.
Their sex can be identified by the colour of their throats: male’s pure red and the female’s a deep violet. They are listed as one of the “Big Six” in the Kruger National Park and it is very exciting to see them wandering around in small groups foraging on the ground
Sadly, however their numbers have been declining, due in part to persecution, habitat destruction, cultural beliefs, and other factors.
Their ominous calls are associated with the coming of rain or drought. Other cultural uses or beliefs include ridding one of bad or evil spirits, taking revenge on others or instigating fights and causing dreams to become a reality.
APNR Southern Ground-Hornbill Project
This project studies the social behaviour of Southern Ground -Hornbills in the greater Kruger area The project also contributes to the conservation of this species by re-instating the birds back into their historical range, expanding the population in the hope to downgrade their endangered status in South Africa.
WHERE THE MONEY GOES
NATURE CONSERVATION
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We support the projects of the Big Five Reserves providing access for the Cycle Tour.
COMMUNITY UPLIFTMENT
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We support local community social upliftment or nature conservation programs managed by Rotary Hoedspruit.
ROTARY HOEDSPRUIT
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Retained by Hoedspruit Rotary and used to fund the operating costs of the other smaller scale community projects it is involved with.
