Charlie David is readying to ride a bicycle across Africa to help the white rhinoceros, with a ride into the desert starting the last week of July.
David, who grew up in Yorkton as Charlie Lubiniecki, said he became interested in the plight of African wildlife after taping a television series that took him to Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa.
"I came down to Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa in November '09 to shoot two episodes of my travel series Bump which airs on Out TV in Canada," said Lubiniecki. "We focused on beautiful Cape Town, Victoria Falls in Zambia and Kruger National Park. I've been very fortunate to travel around the world but to be honest I've never felt as alive as I have in Africa. There's a curious mixture of fear, amazement and exhilaration while on safari that is definitely hard to top."
That experience was enough to lure David back to Africa.
"After visiting in November I knew that there was a larger picture I wanted to be a part of and so I returned in February and March," he said. "I traveled through Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa visiting lodges and wildlife conservation projects. As the statistics came in I realized just how critical it is to take action now to protect these animals."
David said the view on hunting is different in Africa than it is in North America.
"In North America hunting is a popular hobby and way of life for many people," he said. "The problem with game hunting for sport in Africa is that because many of the communities are underprivileged they will sell hunting licenses without a real education on the threat to the gene pool of these magnificent species. For example there are now less lions in the wild of Africa than in zoos around the world. And big game hunters coming from 1st world nations are no big heroes. They are driven out on Landrovers and track the animals using GPS much of the time and shoot the lion/rhino/elephant from the truck."Then they take part of the animal as a trophy and leave the rest. You can't tell me that's brave or heroic.
It's an embarrassment to our intelligence. I have no issue with hunting if an animal is used and managed with conservation in mind. But I'd like to ask anyone who's shot a lion what it tastes like."
David said he decided to get to know the wildlife.
"I went out on walks with elephants, walked with cheetah, and rehabilitated lions whose parents had been poached and tracked rhino on foot. Each of these species is integral to the whole system working.
Their habitats in Â鶹´«Ã½AV Africa are already restricted by electric fenced national parks. When I heard the plight of the desert rhino of which there are less than 180 left in the world I asked how I could help. To see a rhino up close is magical, they are a glimpse into our prehistoric past and losing them would be so heartbreaking.
"The rhinos challenge in survival is daunting. They are routinely poached for their horn which is ground into tablets and sold as a sexual stimulant in Asia as well as a beauty enhancing product world wide.
There is no evidence to support either as having any benefit. The most horrible aspect is that a rhinos horn can regenerate itself. But instead of supporting this ludicrous but profitable market by sedating the animal and removing its horn and thereby creating a renewable resource - the poachers use machine guns to kill or wound the animal and saw off its horn - sometimes while still alive."
To raise awareness of the rhino's plight David is undertaking a bike ride.
"Our aim in cycling 330 kilometres across the Damaraland desert in Namibia is two fold," he said, "we aim to not be eaten by a lion. No seriously, we're aiming to raise awareness of the plight of the desert rhino and other iconic species and drag ourselves out of the dark ages and into an education on what's really happening on our planet. The over population of humans is causing mass destruction to so many ecosystems. Everything is interconnected and with the demise of one species many others will follow."David said the ride is to raise money for a specific project.
"We are raising funds (nearly 500,000 rand so far) to educate and employ local communities and sustain anti-poaching units," he said. "Essentially we are beginning to place GPS tracking into the rhinos horns. Then we educate and hire locals to assign to specific rhinos. They are then in charge of monitoring and keeping us up to date on the animal's movements. Instead of taking a one-off bribe to lead a poacher to the rhino we are providing a monthly wage for them to protect it and thereby be able to support their family."
David said it will be his first time to do the ride.
"The inaugural ride was last year and I've heard all the horror stories of 1 bucket shower per day, sleeping in tents and grueling six-seven hours on the bike per day through the sand."
It's a case of working now to get into shape to make the ride.
"I'm spending time on my exercise bike at home here in Cape Town, going to a personal trainer three-times a week who leads me through weight training courses with medicine balls, kettle bells and even sledge hammers," he said.
"And of course rides through the hilly terrain surrounding Cape Town. Everyone says time in the saddle is crucial so I'm trying to log some in whenever possible. I'm no Lance Armstrong so I know I'll be near tears on some days."
David said he believes the ride will help him grow, and help the rhino too.
"Africa has awakened my spirit to focus outwards," he said. "I've led a very privileged life with incredible experiences and I guess I've been looking for a way to pay the universe back for all my blessings. I'm hoping that by doing something a little crazy we'll draw some attention to an important cause. It's not just about the desert rhino and it's not just about Africa.
"It's about each of us looking at the way we live our life and hopefully drawing a closer connection to our environment and all the creatures we share it with. Earth is not here solely for a human experience, it's here for all life forms. Our experience here can only be enriched as we draw closer to that conclusion."Being in the film industry, David said he wants to chronicle the ride too.
"We are definitely bringing a camera along and will be shooting some of the ride," he said. "The plan is to make a short film that will be used as an educational tool and to encourage others to join us next year."
If anyone would like to contribute to the fundraising efforts they can visit David online at: www.rhinoafrica.com/challenge4acause
