The TCU Rhino Initiative is far from endangered. Founded in 2014 to provide students
an opportunity to work directly with wildlife via a study abroad program, it is now
at the forefront of rhino conservation in South Africa.
The program was recently featured in a front-page article in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“We are very singularly focused on raising awareness and funds here in the United States so that we can relieve the burden of these reserves in South Africa that can help with rhino protection and management programs,” Michael Slattery, director of TCU’s Institute for Environmental Studies, said. “That burden is especially acute as a result of COVID, because at the end of the day, wildlife conservation is a very expensive proposition."
Between the drop in tourism revenue in South Africa and the cancelling of the Rhino Run during the pandemic, fundraising was suffering. But the now-student-managed run is back Sept. 19, and, this year, money will go directly to rhino procedures that help prevent poaching.
Slattery explained why the program has been a success.
“I think it resonates because of the mission statement at TCU, and because of the connection that Texans have to the environment and to conservation,” Slattery said.