Defcon III Rhino Project

09/09/2026

The Defcon III Rhino Project began supporting the full range of rhino protection activities in the Pilanesberg National Park in 2017. The Pilanesberg Wildlife Trust, represented by Perry Dell, coordinates how our donations- and we are just a small part in that - are invested in the most efficient way.

All this would be useless, however, without the rangers who stand on the front line day in, day out, risking their lives to protect the park's animals, including the rhinos. With Steve Dell, who is responsible for the rangers, we already knew that this kind of 'value chain' works very well.

This is a fantastic achievement for Steve and his team of rangers. But each and every one of you, all of the hundreds of Defcon III Rhino Project supporters, and every single patch, whether it stays on a patch wall or is worn on gear or uniforms: You have all somehow become part of this. Thank you!

The Defcon III Rhino Project would like to congratulate you on your nomination, Perry Steve Dell .

🦏♥️🦏

Pilanesberg National Park & Wildlife Trust

2026 AFRICAN CONSERVATION AWARDS FINALIST
BEST FIELD RANGER | STEPHEN DELL

Protecting rhino requires people, technology and coordinated action on the ground.

Stephen “Steve” Dell leads the Pilanesberg Rhino Protection Unit in South Africa, protecting black and white rhino across the 50,000-hectare Pilanesberg conservation area.

Under his leadership, the unit has strengthened ranger safety through advanced digital communications while integrating field patrols, aerial surveillance, monitoring and targeted rhino management.

Over the past year, Steve also oversaw major rhino protection interventions, including the horn trimming of nearly 400 black and white rhinos.

We celebrate Stephen Dell as a 2026 Best Field Ranger finalist and his contribution to protecting both rangers and rhino.

31/07/2026

It's World Ranger Day 2026 !

Such an important topic and it wouldn't be possible without those who risk their life to protect our animals.

❤️🦏🐘🦒🦓🐅🐁🦅♥️

05/07/2026

Dear supporters,

Since we reached the target of €13,000 in donations in June, we have arranged another transfer to the Pilanesberg National Park & Wildlife Trust.

The trust is responsible for allocating these donations to rhino conservation projects, which are ultimately carried out by park rangers and their support crew.

Their efforts are huge, and the results are noticeable.

This is another fantastic achievement and it wouldn't have been possible without you, our supporters!

Thank you so much, on behalf of the rhinos and the rhino protection units of the Pilanesberg National Park.

Now we are working towards our next goal of € 14,000 .

🦏♥️🦏

Best regards,
Rakarth

PS:
I have added a few pictures of our mascot, Chubby, joining me on my trip to see the band New Model Army with lots of our friends in Amsterdam in December 2025. 🎸🦏🎸

27/06/2026

Dear Supporters,

30th & 31st of May team Defcon III attended the magfed paintball event Stonehaven VIII presented by OMG Events in the extraordinary venue FORT-PAINT, located close to Blénod-lès-Toul, France, together with ~200 highly motivated players coming from ~12 countries. It's always a great chance to meet old and new friends, but bringing it to such an international level is amazing. And more than 80% of the players are regular visitors.

The fort of Blénod-lès-Toul is a historical fortress from ~1880, and with the 4 levels of gameplay and the mixture of open ground, CQB-situations and pitchblack tunnels this venue is quite a challenge of playing.

And again we have a winning team: The rhinos of the Pilanesberg National Park & Wildlife Trust. As always, the Defcon III Rhino Project brought the rhino patches the donation box and the new flyers with them, and in total, we have had donations of 180 € with the clear aim to support the rhino conservation topics.

We say thank you to all the rhino warriors who stay with us. You are simply fantastic.

🦏♥️🦏

Best regards,
Rakarth

PS: just in case you missed the chance to get your rhino patch: Leave me a notice and we can arrange something.

26/06/2026

This week, two men were sentenced in what has been described as one of the world's largest rhino horn trafficking cases, bringing a partial close to an investigation that has spanned almost two decades. The case involved more than 1,700 charges linked to illegal rhino hunting, dehorning, racketeering and money laundering.

While any conviction for wildlife crime is welcome, it is also a stark reminder that the threat facing rhinos has not disappeared.

Behind every trafficking network are countless victims. Rhinos killed for their horns. Calves left without their mothers. Conservation teams risking their lives every day to protect one of the world's most iconic species.

At Mankwe Wildlife Reserve, we see firsthand the lengths that poachers and criminal syndicates will go to. That's why proactive conservation measures, dedicated ranger teams, K9 units and ongoing protection work remain absolutely essential.

The fight to save rhinos is far from over, but every protected rhino, every successful anti-poaching patrol and every calf born safely is proof that conservation works.

Together, we can ensure that rhinos have a future.

🦏 Support frontline rhino conservation: endangeredrhino.org/donate/