Toyota Driving the Fight to Save South Africa’s Rhinos

Where the roar of an engine can be as comforting as the quiet rumble of nature, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has found a way to bring the two together for a cause that transcends the open road. The recent collaboration between TSAM and the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust has seen these automotive giants step into the wild to protect one of South Africa’s most iconic and endangered species: the rhino.

Rhino poaching is no longer just a conservation concern; it’s a full-scale crisis. The insatiable demand for rhino horns—sought after for everything from misguided medicinal beliefs to status symbols—has driven these magnificent creatures to the brink of extinction. Black and white rhinos are facing an increasingly uncertain future, with poachers exploiting ancient myths to justify their crimes. The truth? Rhino horns are made of keratin, the same protein that makes up our hair and nails. The medicinal properties? Non-existent. The only power these horns hold is the power to line poachers' pockets at the cost of a species.

Enter Toyota, a name more commonly associated with reliability on the tarmac than with conservation in the bush. But through their longstanding partnership with the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, TSAM has shown that they’re just as committed to preserving South Africa’s natural heritage as they are to perfecting the art of the automobile. This commitment recently manifested in a large-scale dehorning initiative at Pilanesberg National Park—a controversial yet effective strategy to deter poachers by making rhinos less of a target.

Dehorning, while expensive and labor-intensive, is a vital part of the effort to save these animals. The procedure is painless for the rhino, with the horn—much like a fingernail—growing back over time. However, the process requires regular upkeep, with rhinos needing to be dehorned every 18 months to two years. TSAM, recognizing the urgency and importance of this conservation effort, covered a staggering 70% of the costs for the recent dehorning in Pilanesberg. This included funding for wildlife veterinarians, helicopters for darting, sedation medication, and the indispensable ground teams that make such operations possible.

But TSAM didn’t stop there. They’ve gone beyond just writing checks and covering service costs. Their collaboration with business partners, such as Altron Group and Netstar, has provided the much-needed technological support to anti-poaching units, including the donation of radios and the refurbishment of repeater networks. Meanwhile, Vodacom’s funding for SIM card data has ensured effective monitoring within the park, making it harder for poachers to operate undetected.

“Toyota's global environmental policy is robust, and we are proud of our longstanding partnership with the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust. Protecting our heritage and safeguarding these majestic animals is integral to our mission. We are committed to playing our role in ensuring the survival of this endangered species for future generations,” says John Thomson, Vice President of Future Toyota. His words underscore TSAM’s broader vision: a world where technological advancement doesn’t come at the expense of our planet’s most vulnerable inhabitants but rather works in harmony to protect them.

As Thomson aptly puts it, humans have taken on the responsibility of conserving wildlife, often relocating free-roaming animals into protected areas. Yet, this responsibility doesn’t end with the establishment of conservation parks—it’s an ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety, genetic diversity, and overall well-being of these animals. And with companies like TSAM stepping up, there’s hope that we won’t fall short in this vital mission.

So, while the world continues to speed ahead, TSAM is making sure that some things—like the survival of the rhino—don’t get left behind.

If you’d like to contribute to this noble cause, donations can be made to the Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust at: https://pilanesbergwildlifetrust.co.za.

Source : Toyota SA