In the last 11 months, for each vehicle sold within the 10 participating dealerships, Unitrans Volkswagen has pledged funds to fight rhino poaching in SANParks. At the end of July 2013 this amount stands at a fantastic R 1 175 500.

This phenomenal contribution which is assured to fight rhino poaching within the SA National Parks comes from the company’s bottom line and is related directly to motor vehicle sales (both new and pre-owned) made within the Unitrans Volkswagen group of dealers. Unitrans Volkswagen in co-operation with the SANParks Honorary Rangers ensures that every cent of this bequest is used to fight poaching and that no funds are used for administration purposes. Unitrans Volkswagen thanks all their clients who have supported them for making this donation possible without compromising price and service.

Unitrans Volkswagen initiated the Unite against Poaching trust to ensure that the rangers on the ground are adequately equipped to fight the ruthless poachers they are faced with on a day to day basis. There is no doubt that this objective is being met. Last year over R 3 million was spent ensuring that the field rangers have the basic equipment which allows them to spend prolonged periods in the bush. The funds this year are being deployed for specialist training to ensure that the rangers facing the poachers have the latest counter insurgency skills to successfully track and capture the poachers as well as making sure the forensic evidence to support successful prosecution is provided.

This year alone 540 rhinos have been poached in the country. Unitrans Volkswagen is committed to sustainable support for the fight against poaching. The Unite against Poaching trust fund has also been the major sponsor in establishing the Unitrans Tracker Hounds project in the Kruger National Park. These hounds have been identified as one of the pivotal tools in the war against rhino poaching and their deployment has already seen the successful apprehension of rhino poachers.

Unitrans Volkswagen has also stepped up to address the scientific requirement in the prosecution of rhino poachers. Last year R 500 000 was donated to the rhino DNA project , RhODISTM at Onderstepoort, which hosts the rhino DNA database for Southern Africa and provides forensic evidence for every single rhino poaching case in the country. Due to the critical demands placed on the genetic analyser by RhODISTM, urgent repairs of R 40 000 were required which Unitrans Volkswagen have settled.

Since the inception of the Unite against Poaching initiative in September 2011, Unitrans Volkswagen have pledged a phenomenal R 6 546 650 to supporting the fight against rhino poaching.

For further details on the initiative go to www.uniteagainstpoaching.co.za