A dramatic increase in rhino poaching has prompted Woolworths to aid efforts to save African rhinos from extinction. Woolworths has partnered with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and pledged funds from the sale of limited edition reusable bags to help combat rhino poaching. WWF will receive R10 from the sale of each bag. Today, Southern Africa is home to the majority of Africa's surviving rhino population. Approximately 4000 black rhino and 20 000 white rhino are all that prevent Africa’s rhinos from sliding over the brink, into extinction. The funds collected from the sale of the special reusable bags will help ensure that much-needed anti-poaching equipment and support can be secured for rangers across the region. This includes binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, and bullet-proof armour, rhino-tracking and camping equipment. It will also provide essential training for anti-poaching units and be used for emergency veterinary treatments for injured rhino. “Woolworths is proud to be able to support this effort to save the rhino. It is difficult to imagine their absence on Africa’s landscape. We know our customers care about these issues and expect us to help make a difference in any way we can. Our commitment to sustainability is at the heart of our business, and our partnership with WWF allows Woolworths to help tackle this and a number of other environmental projects,” says Justin Smith, Woolworths Good business journey manager. Reusable rhino bags are available for purchase at Woolworths stores from 20 September 2010 for R29.95 each. ENDS NOTES FOR THE EDITOR Local design Cape Town designers Pitchblack conceived the artwork on the “rhino bags” bags. The bags call on customers to 'imagine no rhinos' and present a simple but powerful equation: the 'Big 5 minus the rhino equals the Big 4!’. Local Manufacturers Woolworths is well known for its colourful reusable shopping bags. These bags are not merely helping to reduce the amount of plastic waste that goes to landfill; they’re also helping two local companies flourish. An acclaimed journey Woolworths Good Business Journey is a comprehensive 5-year plan announced in April 2007 to help people and planet. It incorporates a series of challenging targets and commitments centred on four key priorities: accelerating transformation, driving social development, enhancing Woolworths’ environmental focus and addressing climate change. For more log onto woolworthsholdings.co.za