THE ORIGINS FOUNDATION X Rockwood Conservation
Location: Northern Cape, South Africa
19 Years active custodians!
14 Years of active habitat & population management!
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Rockwood Conservation
Rockwood Conservation
4+ active research projects including work with 450 rhinos through Rockwood Rhino Conservation and Hemersbach Rhino Force, covering reproductive research (University of the Free State), giraffe hormone mapping and rhino studies, and rhino neonate nutrition development in collaboration with Stellenbosch University, alongside additional future research initiatives.
2-3 Years
Aerial surveys conducted annually, with passive daily monitoring and complete rhino tracking where every birth and mortality is recorded for precise population data. Information is generated by the operator and used internally only, with no government utilization. Data supports self-sustaining management, genetic monitoring, and self-determined quotas.
20
Full-time rangers conducting horseback patrols as part of anti-poaching operations.
35M
anually for private funding covering total security and anti-poaching costs.
4
Bomas forming the core intensive security system, housing four herds of cows and calves each night.
1/3 Area
Managed as open/extensive land supporting hunting bull rhino and plains game.
100
Security cameras integrated with a national network of 8,000 cameras and central operations database.
24
Huntable species expanded from an initial 2 species.
450
Southern white rhino population under management.
8
month hunting season from March to November
33,000
total acres of wildlife areas sustainably managed and protected
19
years of active custodianship, including 14 years of active habitat and population management.
R5 Mil
Initial investment covering capital deployment, land access, infrastructure, and wildlife protection and management, with ongoing annual infrastructure investment of 2 million.
7 Years
Delay to full operation, including a required moratorium before hunting commenced in 2014.
3+
Governing authorities under legal frameworks including TOPS, NEMBA, CITES, and the Game Theft Act.
60
people employed
x10
600 indirect livelihoods impacted
40%
high school graduation rate
Capacity Building
Security training, management courses, computer skills, drivers licenses, hospitality training, chef training and additional skills provided.
Provide management support through the board of directors while directly supporting staff education and upskilling as needed, and paying and supplementing pre-school salaries.
Multiple charity and church support
Support 70 preschool children with daily meals, supply and store meat for year-round distribution, help feed 100 people through church outreach twice weekly, donate to hospice facilities, and contribute meat for an annual fundraiser.
Ethos
“In areas of high unemployment, my role is to provide opportunity and uplift the community through employment and long-term career development, creating stability, building skills, and enabling people to grow through the ranks, increase their earning capacity, and contribute to the lasting security of both the community and the land.” – Wicus
“In an area like this where unemployment is high – we need to provide and uplift the community through employment and building their careers. Don’t have a big staff turnover, regular security testing due to rhino. Majority of staff have been there since inception of project and worked up through the ranks, thus increasing earning capapcity. employment is a big thing.” – Wicus
