“The hard work and perseverance has paid off. South Africa has responded by showing our care and support for TRAC,” says Subhas Shah, COO of Thundafund.

The artists who have volunteered to paint the first eight rhino ambassadors will transform their life-size rhino sculptures from blank white models into valuable works of art.

These first eight ambassadors will tour Cape Town and the surrounding area during April and May on a colourful carnival float stopping off in small towns and villages.

The Grand Rhino Road Show, while publicising TRAC initiative, is aimed at inspiring businesses and individuals to sponsor the making and painting of the ±100 rhinos which will form the basis of TRAC.

TRAC is a three-month outdoor art exhibition coming to Cape Town from mid-December 2017 to mid-March 2018. It will feature 100 or more llife-size painted rhino sculptures which will be exhibited on street corners, parks, and public spaces all around the city and surrounds. The exhibition will raise funds and spread awareness of the plight of the rhinos as a result of poaching.

25 golden rhinos, created by prominent artists, will go under the hammer at a live gala auction event and be offered to art collectors, companies, and concerned private individuals. The proceeds from the auctions will go to Stop Rhino Poaching (SRP) to purchase essential services and equipment, such as ranger training, ranger kits, tracker dogs, and light aircraft for game reserves on the front line of the poaching scourge. 100% of funds raised by SRP goes to secure a safer future for our rhinos.

Anton Welz of Stephan Welz Fine Art Auctioneers is TRAC auction partner.

A number of prominent and prestigious Cape Town Hotels got behind the programme when they realised they could be the first owners to display eye catching rhino sculptures in their grounds or their lobbies or grand entrances from the moment their rhinos return from their grand tour.

Among the eight new owners are One & Only, Belmond Mount Nelson Hotel, The Alphen, African Secrets, Radisson Hotels, Motswari Game Lodge, and Timeless Africa Safaris. Not all owners are hotels. One owner is an individual who will be donating her rhino to a bird society to spread awareness for endangered birds and at the same time supporting the rhinos.

The owners will use their rhinos as centrepieces at events and special occasions showing their support and creating awareness of the plight of our beleaguered rhino population.

For more information, visit therhinosarecoming.org. Alternatively, connect with them on Facebook or on YouTube.