ENGAGING PEOPLE

There is increasing pressure on rhinos and their habitats as poaching syndicates seek economic gains from their horns and growing human populations threaten their range. By partnering with local people to create opportunities to supplement livelihoods and services for communities who live alongside rhinos, and by building local awareness of the rationale for rhino conservation, we aim to strengthen positive socio-economic relationships between people and rhinos and maximize incentives for communities to support anti-poaching efforts.

The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) is dedicated to the protection of all five rhino species. IRF’s core pillars include saving rhinos, engaging people and protecting habitats. One way we seek to engage people is by capacity building – by supporting, expanding and sharing technical capacity to achieve locally-led sustainable rhino conservation in Africa and Asia. 

In February 2025, IRF joined forces with the Wildlife Conservation Network (WCN) to launch the first-ever Rising Wildlife Leaders—Careers cohort dedicated entirely to rhino conservation practitioners! We are now accepting applications for the rhino cohort, which will begin in April, 2025. This transformative program empowers local conservationists by providing the skills, networks and opportunities necessary for long-term career success. Selected participants receive up to three years of tailored support, including individualized capacity building, professional mentorship, peer learning and career guidance. For more information or to support this program, please contact Martha Parker, IRF Director of Grants & Partnership Development (m.parker@rhinos.org).

IRF seeks to ensure that issues impacting rhino conservation are visible to lawmakers and others creating wildlife and related policy. As a global rhino advocate, IRF collaborates and partners with governments and other stakeholders to promote a science-based conservation agenda and help guide policies and targeted legislation to create an effective legal and policy framework for rhino conservation.

Maintain The International Rhino Foundation’s administrative, governance and financial robustness in order to unite around our shared vision and maximize results. More than 95% of our funds go directly to on-the-ground rhino conservation programs in Africa and Asia.