Introduction

The American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK) "Bowling For Rhinos" (BFR) fund-raiser has raised over $1,541,000 since 1990 entirely through volunteer efforts. 100% of all donated funds go directly to three rhino conservation organizations protecting hundreds of endangered plant and animal species and their habitats. The first is Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) in Kenya which has grown to 65,000 acres protected with a 2 meters tall electric fence that is home to 31 black and 30 white rhino (9/3/01) along with their ecosystems. In 1994, AAZK expanded its funding efforts to include Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia which is home to the last 47 Javan rhinos on earth (with a few recently discovered in Viet Nam). AAZK expanded its funding efforts once again in 1997 to include Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBS) in Sumatra, Indonesia where one of the largest populations of Sumatran rhinos live. These efforts protect ecosystems enabling the protection of hundreds of endangered plants and animals.

2000 BFR Results

37 chapters or institutions turned in money in 2000 with a total of $143,082.75. This is nearly $8,000 more than the previous year. $100,000 was sent to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with $4,000 being retained for 2001 expenses. $21,541.38 was sent to Ujung Kulon National Park and $21,541.38 was sent to BBS in 2001 from the 2000 event.

2001 BFR to Date

42 chapters or institutions have stated they will hold an event in 2001. As of September 15, 34 chapters or institutions have turned in money for a total of $ 159,743.53. I estimate the total to be $170,000 when all money is turned in for 2001. This is a record breaking year!

BFR has raised over $ 1,541,000 since 1990 entirely through volunteer efforts. It is the hard work and dedication of these volunteers that will make the difference in wildlife conservation efforts. Everyone can be proud to have taken part in such a successful program. BFR 2001Top Individual Money Raisers

Thanks to everyone for the outstanding effort this year!

BFR 2001 Top Money Raising Chapters

Thanks to everyone again! Here are the top 3 fund raising organizations:

Portland AAZK has raised the most since BFR started with $133,075!

See Appendix I ( History of Funds Raised) for more information on funds raised.

It is extremely important to have continued participation from everyone if we are going to continue in our success. It doesn't matter how little or how much money is raised by your event. All events and funds raised are important! Public awareness of the plight of the rhino is of utmost importance so whatever it takes to get the word out is incredibly helpful. Remember, it takes about 5 consecutive years for a fund-raiser to take hold where people start to count on it, so it's important to hold an event each year! It's also fun!

See Appendix II for a comparison of events over the years.

***Bowling For Rhinos is not only about saving rhinos. We save rhino habitat so we are saving everything from Dung Beetles to elephants! Lewa has the second largest population of elephant in Kenya and 25% of the world's grevy zebra poulation.***

Use of Bowling For Rhinos Funds

100% of all funds raised are sent directly to 3 Rhino conservation projects conserving four species of Rhino, their habitats, and hundreds of other endangered plants and animals. BFR helps preserve the Black and White Rhino in Africa, and the Javan and Sumatran Rhino in Indonesia. The first $100,000 raised each year goes to the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy with the remainder split between Ujung Kulon National Park and Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. BFR Funds raised in 2000 were distributed in 2001 as follows:

2000 Funds Raised Distribution

See Appendix III for the annual funds distribution chart.

Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Isiolo, Kenya

The money AAZK has raised with "BFR" has been used to complete the Ngare Sergoi rhino sanctuary fence, fence in the Ngare Ndare Forest Preserve, purchase a plane and a Lorry (truck used to transport animals), fence off the two remaining boundaries and increase security. The old existing fence between the rhino sanctuary and the Ngare Ndare forest area was then removed. This allowed the animals to migrate between the rhino sanctuary and the lush forest area which was extremely important during times of drought. This created a 65,000 acre haven where everything from orchids to elephants could flourish. There are 145,000 acres under common wildlife policy but only 65,000 acres are enclosed by the fence with an area open at the north end to allow for the migration of elephant in and out of the sanctuary. Starting in 1994, BFR funds were used to help provide the operating costs of this successful rhino sanctuary. From 1990 through 2000 $ 1,179,455.72 has been sent to LWC.

Currently, the annual operating cost of the sanctuary is over $800,000 with 170 guards protecting the area. Anna Merz, AAZK's BFR funds and private donations combine together to fund the operating costs. Operating costs include funding the security staff for the sanctuary and the wildlife, maintenance for the fence, vehicles and plane, and research staff to provide information such as carrying capacity determinations and fire burning regimes. By supplying operating costs, AAZK makes it easier for Lewa to solicit private donations to provide funding for future projects. Future plans for the sanctuary include relocation of 50 black rhino into the sanctuary, relocation of reticulated giraffe and common zebra to restock depleted neighboring wildlife areas, the purchase of additional security vehicles, increased security patrols, provision of a fire protection plan.

The former Ngare Sergoi rhino sanctuary became part of the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) when the fence separating the rhino sanctuary and Lewa Downs cattle ranch was taken down. LWC includes the former rhino sanctuary, the Lewa Downs ranch (including Lewa Springs) and the Ngare Ndare forest area.

Lewa received a grant from the World Bank last year. This is the first time a private, rather than government, organization has ever received a grant. There is a great deal of scrutiny that goes into this award. The folks from the World Bank stated they were "extremely impressed by how well Lewa spends their money".

2000 was the first year the Marathon was held at Lewa which raised just under $50,000. This was shared between the Conservancy, Meru National Park, the Lewa-supported schools, Il Ngwesi and Namunyak. Lewa is hoping to have continued success with The Marathon in future years.

The conservancy conducted a mass capture and successfully translocated 104 Burchell's zebra to Meru National Park this year. All animals seem to be doing well in their new home and are being monitored by the Kenya Wildlife Service.

Lewa is now very much involved with community conservation projects. Lewa built tourist lodges in neighboring areas (Il Ngwesi and Namynak) that are now owned and operated by the Maasai people. All proceeds from these lodges go directly to the Maasai people. Some of these very people were formerly involved with poaching of wildlife. Now they see there is much greater benefit from protecting the wildlife. The size of area protected from poachers has vastly increased beyond Lewa's borders and it is hoped this expansion will continue.

Lewa was the first private owned wildlife ranch in Kenya. The former goal for Lewa was to become self sufficient and not rely on donations but this goal has changed. Now they are looking to expand for the benefit of wildlife. Lewa's future includes visions of expanding to include Namunyak, Samburu, and Borana which would create 300,000 acres for wildlife.

For additional information see the Lewa website at www.lewa.org

Javan and Sumatran Rhinos

The two kinds of rhinoceros in SE Asia are the most endangered of the 5 surviving rhino species. There are fewer than 100 Javan rhino: about 50 in Ujung Kulon and another 20 in Cat Loc Vietnam. The Sumatran rhino is considered the most critically endangered species of rhino by the IUCN/SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group (AsRSG). Fewer than 300 are estimated to survive worldwide. Although not as rare as the Javan rhino, poaching pressure is more intense on the Sumatran rhino whose population has declined at least 50% in the last 5-7 years. BFR supports two National Parks in Indonesia which protect the Javan and Sumatran Rhinos.

Ujung Kulon National Park, Java, Indonesia

The first $100,000 each year from BFR will continue to go to LWC. Half of the additional money over $100,000.00 will be sent to Ujung Kulon National Park in Java, Indonesia which works to save the Javan rhino. Ujung Kulon is a 300 square mile National Park that is home to some of the rarest plants and animals on earth! It is one of the last remaining lowland rainforests in the world with hundreds of endangered plants and animals. The annual running cost of Ujung Kulon is $100,000.

Since 1996, $ 135,965.86 has been sent to Ujung Kulon from AAZK's BFR events. These funds where used to purchase such items as a well, pump and water tower at the Karangranjang guard post, the completion of a new patrol boat, camera units for photo trapping census of the Javan rhino, installation and maintenance of the cameras, training staff for trapping census and preparation of photo inventory of field data, 32 hand - held radios, radar unit for night patrol boat and trained "Rhino Patrol Units" (RPUs). These are very intensive, specially trained anti-poaching units of 5 men. These RPUS are the only proven method to effectively conserve these tropical forest rhinos.

1999 and 2000 funds were used for the operational costs for camera checking for census work on the Javan rhino at $17,000 /year and to purchase a much needed high powered patrol boat in collaboration with MN Conservation Officers and the US Fish and Wildlife Service. 2000 funds also paid for operational costs of a boat patrol around the perimeter of the peninsula. There are currently 3 RPUs operating in Ujung Kulon. Future support will continue the census work over the next couple years, train and support the continued use of RPUs to protect wildlife and pay for maintenance of existing buildings and equipment.

The census work to date has had wonderful results. In the first 10 percent of the habitat that was surveyed, 12 animals were identified (8 male, 4 female). Most anti-poaching team encounters have been with people mist netting song birds.

Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park, Sumatra, Indonesia

Half of the monies over $100,000 raised each year from BFR will go to Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park (BBSNP) which is believed to have one of the largest populations of Sumatran rhinos. This is a 3,568 square km protected area on the southwest side of the island of Sumatra. Asian elephant, tiger, clouded leopard, Malayan sun bear, Indian wild dog and a substantial number of the estimated 300 Sumatran rhinos live within this park.

For the most part, all necessary equipment and training for RPUs have been provided by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), (US Fish and Wildlife Rhino and Tiger Conservation Fund) USFWS RTCF and International Rhino Foundation / IUCN Asian Rhino Specialist Group (IRF/ AsRSG). Adequate patrol shelters already exist in the Park for the patrol work of RPUs. What is needed at BBSNP for rhino conservation is operational funds for the RPUs. The operational cost for each RPU is currently $17,000/ year. BFR money will be used in this way for the next few years.

There are currently 6 RPUs (of 4 men teams) operating in Bukit Barisan with two additional Tiger patrol Units (TPU). The TPUs are currently assisting the RPUs in the rhino areas as there has been an attempt to poach rhino in Bukit Barisan. In May of 2001, a RPU found a young male rhino alive in a snare. There was an all out attempt to save the animal but unfortunately, he died. The area is now under intensive patrol and no new traps have been found.

It is felt the number of RPUs in Bukit Barisan is correct. However, extra funding is needed for more prosecution of poachers and intelligence information gathering. The current situation in Indonesia seems to come down to whomever has the most money , defense or prosecution, wins the case in poaching incidents. The poaching pressure in Indonesia is more intense than ever. The RPUs are vital to the survival of Indonesia's rhinos and other wildlife.

Since 1998, $ 66,115.86 has been sent to Bukit Barisan from BFR funds.

For additional information on rhino conservation, see www.rhinos-irf.org.

BFR Fund-raising Guidelines

• Events should be held between March 1- August 1st.
• I send out fliers in AKF requesting info on your upcoming event. This helps me know how many new sponsor sheets you need and when your event date is in case people in your area call me for info.
• If interested in participating, send for an information packet (or see http://www.aazkbfr.org) and let me know the number of sponsor sheets to send.
• If you have never held an event, see how to hold a BFR event.
• There is now a $25 administrative fee to participate which should be made out to "AAZK, Inc." and mailed to Patty prior to obtaining sponsor forms. This fee covers indirect costs incurred by AAZK, Inc. due to BFR ( phone, postage, faxes, bank fees, BFR trip winners tickets). First timers are exempt the first year.
• Call me if the information packet does not answer your questions (919-678-0449)
• To win the trip to Africa, all money must be sent in to me by September 1st!
• Please try to have all money sent within 30 days of your event or by September 1st. I write this workshop paper in September so if you want to be included in these totals, send in the money.
• If a chapter does not wish to send their checks certified mail, the following is the only way to insure that your check is not cashed by anyone other than AAZK, Inc.! Please write "For Deposit Only" on the back signature area of all checks. This will ensure only AAZK can deposit it instead of just anyone who may intercept it!
• Please make out one check payable to "AAZK, Inc.-Bowling For Rhinos", include a copy of your financial form & a copy of only the high money raiser's sponsor sheets and mail to:

  	Patty Pearthree c/o Bowling For Rhinos
  	318 Montibello Dr. Cary, NC 27513
  	(919)678-0449 ppear3 AT aazk DOT org web site http://www.aazkbfr.org/
  

• To purchase a Bowling For Rhino Promotional video, send $10 check made payable to AAZK,Inc. and mail to the above address. The video is similar to the conference presentation including slides, narration and a script (in case you would rather narrate.)
• It is very important to remember that we advertise 100% of all donations go towards conservation. All donations from donors must be submitted to AAZK Bowling For Rhinos in order for this to be true. This means that your organization must cover any expenses for this event. This can be done by charging a set fee for bowlers, through silent auctions, door-prize raffles, your local organizations funds, etc.
• No matter how small the chapter is or how few bowlers you have, every dollar helps so don't be afraid to give "Bowling For Rhinos" a shot!