WARNING: This article contains graphic content which some viewers might find distressing.
It is with a heavy heart that we share devastating news from the Rhino & Elephant Conservation Project. Yesterday, the reserve's Director of Conservancy broke the news of a poaching tragedy which saw Gomo, a beloved 22-year-old black rhino, fall victim and lose his life to a brutal poaching attack.
Despite the unwavering efforts of the reserve's anti-poaching and K9 detection unit, the poachers escaped with their target, leaving behind a shockwave of sadness and anger felt by the Travers family, reserve team, past and present volunteers, and rhino champions worldwide.
For over two decades, the reserve has been untouched by the cruel hand of poaching. All the rhinos on the reserve, including Gomo, are not just a symbol of a successful conservation project; they are family. Gomo's presence and the six children he sired stand as a testament to what determined conservation efforts can achieve, and his loss is a stark and painful reminder of the threats still facing Africa's iconic wildlife today.
Sadly, the reality of rhino conservation is that even the most vigilant protections can be breached. With black rhinos critically endangered and the demand for ivory ever present, the war against wildlife crime is far from over. Rhino horn, while made of the same protein as human fingernails, keratin, can fetch up to £50,000 per kilogram on the black market. The demand for rhino horns is born from its use in traditional Chinese medicine, and later became a status symbol, especially in countries such as Vietnam. The high financial rewards and poverty in Africa fuel this thriving illegal trade, one to which Gomo has lost his life.
Gomo's legacy has become a rallying cry for the Rhino & Elephant Conservation Project, one we share with them. While we mourn the loss of Gomo, we hope to highlight the realities of conservation and raise awareness of the ongoing support needed to fight wildlife crime. Now is the time to stand united in the mission to protect what cannot be replaced. Gomo's story does not end in silence; we hope it will fuel action, awareness, and hope for a future where no more rhinos, or any wildlife for that matter, fall to greed.
In loving memory of Gomo (2003-2025)
