With dedicated and consistent actions undertaken to protect the rhino, poaching–the biggest threat to their existence in Africa–continued slowly but steadily to decline up to 2020.
Over the last 10 years, two thirds of the rhinos in South Africa’s Kruger Park have been killed by poachers. Black rhinos in Kruger Park have disappeared dramatically and today there are estimated to be less than 500 remaining.
Moreover, in late March2020, the South African border was closed to prevent the spread of theCovid-19 virus. Prior, the day-to-day influx of foreign visitors had kept the poachers at bay. Now, due to a severe shortage of rangers, poachers are free to move undetected around this vast area. This interruption of a source of national revenue underlines the extent to which wildlife protection organisations rely on private financial donors and on collaborative and coordinated efforts between local, international, public and private stakeholders.
Hublot is using its global reach, and reconfirming its support for Kevin Pietersen and SORAI–Save Our Rhino Africa India–with the release of a new edition of the Big Bang Unico SORAI, inviting 100 future owners to help support this cause for our planet. A portion of the proceeds from the sale will be donated exclusively to Care for Wild–the largest rhino sanctuary in the world, supported by SORAI–for it to use as it sees fit.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), international, national and local partners must work together to resolve the biodiversity crisis. It is our duty to amplify the voices of those who work on the ground to protect endangered species, particularly the African rhino which is in critical danger of extinction. Hublot is truly delighted and proud to support Kevin Pietersen and SORAI in this movement which is so crucial for the future.” – Ricardo Guadalupe Hublot CEO
On the ground, every day is a battle, a race against time by the teams of dedicated specialists who rescue, rehabilitate, and release these rhinos back into the wild. We don’t want to lose one of the Big Five, not for us but for our children’s children. We therefore need to put our common efforts to protect this species! I am very happy that Hublot is once again able to provide its support to SORAI, tohelp raise maximum awareness of this global emergency.” – Kevin Pietersen Founder of SORAI
Big Bang Unico SORAI
While the previous release, with its beige ceramic case, evoked the colours of the South African bush in winter, the Big Bang Unico SORAI is equipped with the UNICO manufacture movement and inspired by the natural colours of the bush in summer: a harmonious blend of two shades of green, from the green ceramic case to the green camouflage rubber or Velcro strap. This special edition, engraved on the back of the sapphire crystal glass, will be available as a limited edition of 100 pieces.
The largest rhino sanctuary in the world
Left on its own, an orphaned baby rhinoceros whose parents have been killed by poachers has almost no chance of survival. Care for Wild rescues these rhinos, then ensures their protection, growth, and well-being in secure environments, equipped with 24-hour video surveillance, and communication networks, monitored by mobile units of dogs and their handlers, trained to apprehend poachers. The Care for Wild mission also includes rehabilitation and rewilding–the release of rhinos to their natural habitat, where their development can be monitored.
The largest rhino orphanage and sanctuary in the world, it was founded in 2001 by Petronel Nieuwoudt
