Two South African veterinary surgeons working in the UK, Jason Davidson (Companion Care, Derby) and Paul Meiring (Companion Care, Chesterfield), have entered the joBerg2C cycle race to raise awareness of and funds towards combatting the rhino poaching crisis in Africa.

During the race, which runs between Johannesburg and Durban in April 2017, Jason and Paul will cover 900km (559 miles) on their velocipedes.

They're raising money for a charity called Chipembere Rhino Foundation, a charity which works to monitor rhino and curb poaching. According to the charity, there are 20,000 African white rhino and 4,800 African black rhino remaining, which classifies them as ‘near-threatened’ and ‘critically endangered’ respectively. Against that background, poaching levels have reached crisis point, with 2,700 rhinos killed between 2000 and 2013, and a further 1215 in 2014 alone. 

The importance of the charity's work was further highlighted today after news that poachers have shot an African white Rhino for its horn at Thoiry Zoo outside Paris.

Jason said: "We are living in a world where our natural resources, from water and minerals to animals and plants, are becoming increasingly rare and as a result they are highly prized and valuable. Habitat destruction and poaching are two of the greatest risks facing the world's wildlife. Rhinos are being killed for their horns, elephants for their tusks, pangolins for their scales and now even donkeys are being killed for their skins. We only have one planet and we all need to do what we can to protect it."

If you’d like to support Jason and Paul in their efforts, you can do so at http://www.justgiving.com/teams/rhinocycle

PS: Whilst you're here, take a moment to see our latest job opportunities for vet nurses.