October 5, 2021by Sasha Ella

The importance of rhino conservation

Being part of a conservation legacy

by Abigail Coetzer

Being custodians of white rhinos at Mantis Founders Lodge, rhinos hold a special place in the hearts of the Mantis team. We also place a lot of emphasis on rhino conservation because rhinos are part of a much bigger picture for the planet than most may realise.

Rhinos are prehistoric in that they have changed very little since the rhino family emerged nearly 60 million years ago. A recent DNA study revealed that there were over 100 rhino species previously roaming the earth in Africa, Eurasia, and North and Central America.

Africa has long been the last remaining stronghold for free-roaming rhinos and this could be linked to the abundance of other grass-eating animals, like zebra and wildebeest, that are synonymous with African safaris. To understand why, we only need examine what will happen if rhinos were lost to our precious planet.

What will happen if rhinos become extinct?

Rhinos are a Keystone species

This means that rhinos are critical to the functioning of the ecosystem. This is because a keystone species affects the survival and abundance of other life in the environment. Many other species depend on keystone species – without which, the environment can drastically change.

Fewer grazing lawns

Research shows that without rhinos, there are fewer grazing lawns since they keep the growth of vegetation under control. Where rhinos regularly graze, there are nearly 20% more grazing lawns, proving they benefit the environment beyond just eating grass.

Less food for zebras and other grazers

Even our beloved zebras would have trouble feeding on limited grazing lawns without rhinos. Since rhinos eat up to 54kg of food a day, they’re doing a lot of ecological heavy lifting, helping to clear areas, encouraging regrowth in others. Animals like zebras rely on rhinos to keep their grassy plains healthy and plentiful.

Less wildlife biodiversity

The ripple effect will start from fewer grazing lawns that lead to fewer herbivores in the wild, causing a decrease in the ecological biodiversity. The imbalance wouldn’t only affect the grass-eaters but also the predators that eat them.

More carbon dioxide in the atmosphere

One effect of the decline in grasslands and grazing lawns leads to an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere since grasslands work to absorb more carbon dioxide than they release. Rhinos make a huge contribution to our air quality through these ecological services.

Climate change

Increased carbon dioxide relates to climate change. As temperatures rise, polar ice caps are melting faster than ever, creating problems for animals like polar bears, which are at risk of extinction themselves. It’s eye-opening to think that the extinction of rhinos could increase the chances of extinction for polar bears on the other side of the world!

How can Mantis guests be part of rhino conservation?

Mantis and our partners work toward a future that includes this iconic animal thriving. Rhinos are a bio-significant species that are important to our natural African landscapes. When we conserve rhinos, we naturally conserve large areas which means that all other wildlife species are given a chance to thrive. To us, every rhino matters.

To further enhance our guests understanding on these majestic giants, and to support our conservation goals, Mantis has created a unique Rhino Conservation Experience.

Taking place at Mantis Founders Lodge, guests can now take part in an unforgettable, hands-on safari experience focused on Rhino Conservation in South Africa.

Mantis Founders Lodge is a celebration of essential beginnings in sustainable tourism, culture, conservation, and community inclusion. Situated on a private 400-hectare reserve adjacent to Shamwari, the lodge is a monument to conservation history, and it offers soul-reviving safaris on Shamwari, the place where Adrian Gardiner pioneered private game reserves and eco-tourism in the Eastern Cape.

We invite you to become a part of a conservation legacy.