The plight of the rhino worldwide has rightfully been well documented and sugar giants Illovo, title sponsors of the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge that takes place at the Eston Club on Sunday 2 August, have joined forces with the Tala Game Reserve to help in trying protect the rhino in the reserve as well as increase their involvement in the surrounding Eston community.
The Tala Game Reserve is one of the more significant tourist attractions in the Eston area with visitors having the opportunity to see many different wildlife species at the park.
Tala Game Reserve also open a section of the reserve for riders to enjoy during the 18km STIHL Family Ride which is one of the draw cards of the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge starting at the Eston Club on Sunday 2 August. Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
Illovo’s Marketing and Communications Manager Darrell de Wet, however, fully appreciates that the plight of the rhino is a significant problem that needs addressing.
“We know that without rhino, Tala would become less attractive and so we understand the importance of getting involved to try and protect the species in the park,” De Wet mentioned.
“Wildlife is a crucial part of our heritage and is a huge part of drawing people to our country as a whole and, more specifically, to the Eston region; our involvement with Tala is us just trying to play our part in conserving this heritage.
“It is important that big business gets involved with conservation as government cannot be solely responsible for the prevention of the extinction of the rhino.
“Keeping these animals safe is vital in preserving them for the generations to come!” De Wet added.
Illovo has a number of mills throughout the province and have made contributing to the areas where their mills reside an important part of their philosophy and so, together with the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge, are trying to add as much additional value to the Eston area as they can.
“We have mills dotted all over KwaZulu-Natal and we sponsor a number of events as well,” he said. “We have always wanted to keep a positive relationship with farmers in all the areas we have mills in and giving back to their communities is a way that we find keeps our relationships strong.”
“The Eston region is one that we are heavily involved in with the Eston MTB Challenge and following the Tala Game Reserve having been taken over by the community, it was a perfect opportunity for us to get involved in helping with its conservation.”
One of the rhino at the Tala Game Reserve that has been fitted with a sophisticated tracking system in the form of an ankle bracelet sponsored by Illovo as a result of their involvement in the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge which is happening on Sunday 2 August. Supplied/Gameplan Media
The means of tracking the rhino through the park is an ankle bracelet that monitors movement and a number of other bodily functions, enabling trackers to make sure that the animals are under no threat or stress.
“The trackers are really sophisticated and monitor a number of different aspects including heart rate, stress levels and the like.
“We got involved in sponsoring the bracelets in 2014 and after we replace the batteries shortly then hopefully the devices will keep serving their purpose and we can continue to support the protection of the species,” he explained.
A major draw card for the Eston MTB Challenge is the 18km STIHL Tala Family Ride that takes riders through the park on some scenic and exciting trails.
“Our relationship with Tala grew from the family ride that takes cyclists along some of the dirt roads and track through the park.
“It is fantastic that Tala allow the event to use the reserve for the hugely popular race!
“It was one of the first races to use the concept of riding through a reserve and although riders will be in safe areas, it is still a very popular element to the Illovo Eston MTB Challenge,” De Wet concluded.
The 2015 Illovo Eston MTB Challenge takes place at Eston Club on Sunday 2 August. More information can be found at www.illovoestonmtb.co.za.
