An epic bike ride for conservation spanning 2 000 km culminated in a “symbolic cycle” – complete with life-size, fibreglass rhino named Olli – in Durban on Wednesday.
Wayne Bolton, formerly of Durban, embarked on the expedition from Nelson Mandela Bay dubbed the One Land Love It (OLLI) Frontier Ride on July 1.
The campaign started in the Eastern Cape from Kragga Kamma Game Reserve and continued through KwaZulu-Natal and on to the Mozambique border.
It also involved stopping at several game parks along the way, which were asked to sign the scroll of unity in conservation, a pledge to protect the environment signed by the Minister of Tourism and Nelson Mandela Bay Mayor, Athol Trollip.
Along the route, rings in the colours of the South African flag were attached to OLLI’s horn.
Deputy mayor of eThekweni Fawzia Peer received the messages and would be adding the city’s commitment to the pledges.
During the course of the ride Bolton said he had felt the “compelling need” to do what he could to help halt the decimation of world rhino species. “South Africa is home to about 95% of the world’s white rhino and 40% of the critically endangered black rhino,” he said.
Extinction
“The world has lost three fifths of her vertebrate numbers since 1970 through habitat loss, over-consumption, pollution, invasive species and disease. Extinction cannot be our legacy – the time has come to move from caring to doing.”
The trip came to an end on Tuesday, as Bolton reached the Mozambican border, where he placed a sign saying “Please close the gates!” in reference to the porous boundary between the two countries.
Bolton, joined by former Springbok rugby player John Smit and his family and friends, hit the streets again on Wednesday from Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve to Sibaya casino in honour of famed conservationist Ian Player and his legacy.
“I have a feeling of satisfaction about what we’ve accomplished. It’s been in large part about the people we’ve met along the way who work to conserve our natural heritage every day.
“I feel privileged to have met them and I hope they feel encouraged by our gratitude.” He said the exact amount of funds raised would be settled after today’s ((THURS)) event, a breakfast where all proceeds from the ticket sales and auction would be going to Care for Wild Africa, a
rhino orphanage in Mpumalanga.
Smit said the cause was close to his heart and it was up to “citizens with a conscience” like Bolton to bring attention to the issue.
In 2015, Bolton undertook a 6000km trans-South Africa cycle journey to create awareness about rhino poaching and raise funds for anti-poaching initiatives.
He visited 19 SANParks along the way.