American Rhino Foundation

 

Founded on a commitment to Save a Rhino

Rhinos have roamed the planet for millions of years with no natural enemies. Now, rhinos are on the forefront of extinction, due mainly to poaching. We have seen a decrease in rhino poaching since 2015, but there is still a crisis with  poaching and the illegal trade of rhino horn. While we have good progress on paper, our rhino horn populations are still in critical danger. 

What does Save a Rhino mean?

Giving back is literally how American Rhino was founded and it’s part of our DNA. We believe we can all come together to be part of solutions, so that’s why 1% of every American Rhino purchase goes to the American Rhino Foundation.

American Rhino Foundation’s mission is to positively impact wildlife and environmental conservation in Kenya. We focus largely on anti-poaching efforts in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, a nearly 600 square mile preserve of savannah and wildlife. Poaching of rhinos and other animals is an ongoing problem there.

To identify organizations to support directly, American Rhino Foundation partners with Nairobi-based The Safari Collection, a 4th generation Kenyan-owned eco-tourism company.

This has led to helping start the Maasai Mara Rhino Rangers, a specialized group of rangers selected to become a highly trained anti-poaching unit in the Maasai Mara National Reserve wilderness. American Rhino’s initial grant helped the Rhino Rangers launch in 2018, and our Foundation has since given the specialized ranger unit four additional grants.

To patrol the National Reserve safely, the Rhino Rangers need to be properly equipped. American Rhino Foundation has purchased radios, uniforms, boots, radios, binoculars, and patrol vehicles for the Rhino Rangers.

Moreover, because we make 95% of our products in Kenya with manufacturing partners who are committed to social and environmental practices, we are also able to work with and support the local community together with them. So when you purchase something from American Rhino, you are part of this circle of helping communities and conservation in Kenya and Eastern Africa.

Chris Welles with anti-poaching rangers of the Masai Mara, Kenya, East Africa 

American Rhino Foundation 

1% of every American Rhino purchase goes to the American Rhino Foundation, whose mission is to positively impact wildlife and environmental conservation in Kenya. The Foundation partners with Nairobi-based The Safari Collection — a 4th generation Kenyan-owned eco-tourism company — to identify organizations to support directly.

Our foundation makes grants on behalf of our customers to the best run wildlife organizations in Kenya. Our ethos is driven by the belief that furthering education, promoting the leaders of tomorrow and supporting all wildlife protectors will have the most immediate and sustainable impact on saving the rhinos and African wildlife. American Rhino makes our products in the same country that we are doing our conservation work in. In Wearing American Rhino products and talking about American Rhino, you are raising awareness and embracing our mission of supporting African wildlife conservation. 

I am very proud of the work we’ve done in partnering with the Mara Rhino Team and providing them with the resources to protect the Masai Mara wildlife. We are excited about future projects that will continue to have a positive impact for African wildlife.  —Chris Welles, Founder

We believe that education is a vital key to successful conservation. Our goal is to use our platform to educate those near and far about African wildlife and the value of working with local communities. American Rhino Foundation has a goal to educate and empower those living in close proximity to the wildlife. The challenge is that they have very few opportunities to view the animals. Through various education programs, we hope to motivate members of the local communities to see the connection between conservation and wildlife.

 The Mara Rhino Ranger Team

The Maasai Mara Rhino Rangers are a specialized group of rangers selected to become a highly trained anti-poaching unit in the Maasai Mara National Reserve wilderness. American Rhino’s initial grant helped the Rhino Rangers launch in 2018, and the company has since given the specialized ranger unit 4 additional grants.To patrol the National Reserve safely, they need to be properly equipped. American Rhino Foundation has purchased radios, uniforms, boots, radios, binoculars, and patrol vehicles for the Rhino Rangers.

Grant Work, Conservation Work and Projects

The only predator rhinos have are humans. American Rhino is proud to work closely with and support the Mara Rhino Rangers, who monitor, track and protect the rhinos from poachers. The American Rhino Foundation believes an important element to maintaining an effective ranger force is through building morale and providing them with the necessary support they need to carry out their vital work. We have established a great dialogue with the Rangers and when they are in need, we try to help.

First Grant: July 2017  Uniforms, boots, backpacks 

In a partnership with the Safari Collection, in 2017 the American Rhino Foundation donated to the Mara Rhino Rangers with the appropriate gear and uniforms.This grant allowed an important start to the relationship between American Rhino, the Safari Collection and the Rangers. This grant has given the Rhino Team more confidence and credibility within their communities. 

Second Grant: February 2019  Patrol vehicle

Our second grant again in partnership with the Safari Collection was the a donation of a patrol vehicle for the Masai Rhino team. Prior to receiving the vehicle, the Rhino Rangers primarily patrolled on foot. The truck has enabled the Rangers to better utilize their resources.

Third Grant: October 2019  Binoculars and Radios

In a continuing project to make sure the rangers are properly equipped the American Rhino Foundation presented the Rhino Team with tactical binoculars and radios. The binoculars help the rangers spot the rhinos from long distances. The radios were a necessity for the cars so they can listen to other vehicles that are in the Mara. This equipment will help in the amount of poaching. 

Collaboration with the Safari Collection

American Rhino has established a long lasting relationship with The Safari Collection. This is a Kenya based safari company who are wonderful stewards of wildlife conservation in Kenya. The Safari Collection has been instrumental in our conservation work. We align on our ethos and passion for conservation. We are committed to working with the Safari collection in our goal of protecting the incredible wildlife.work.