Launch of the Inaugural Endangered Species Update Newsletter

As many of you would know, I am unashamedly an advocate for the five remaining species of rhino in the world, but there are many, many more animals under threat through poaching for illegal commercial use, habitat loss, human encroachment and the hunting for bushmeat – the latter mainly because of poverty and hunger.

The intention of this newsletter, which I plan to issue on a regular basis, is to shine a light on the plight of many of these animals - not only in Africa. I was particularly moved to write this update after reading about the latest Rhino statistics which indicate a huge reduction in the numbers of white and black rhinos in South Africa’s Kruger National Park, historically a safe haven for the world’s remaining rhinos.

Whilst the focus of this inaugural newsletter will be on the plight of the rhino, a cause which is very dear to my heart, it is a little-known statistic that Australia has the worst mammal extinction rate of any country in the world. The catastrophic bushfires of 2019-20 impacted nearly 3 billion animals and have pushed many more of Australia’s precious wildlife on the fast-track towards extinction. Over 500 of Australia’s wildlife species are at risk of being erased forever, including the greater glider, black-flanked rock-wallaby, regent honeyeater, swift parrot and even Australia’s iconic koala. (Source WWF Australia).

Download a PDF Version of the Endangered Species Update Newsletter here.