The ‘rhino whisperer’s’ fight tirelessly against poaching

IN THE quiet rural stretch between Patensie and Humansdorp, where citrus orchards roll into game reserves, lives a young conservationist whose life has been shaped by the heartbeat of the wild.

- WEEKEND ARGUS REPORTER

Justin Terblanche, 27, affectionately known as the “Rhino Whisperer,” has launched a crowdfunding campaign on BackaBuddy to raise R176000 for a thermal drone that could be a crucial tool in the fight against rhino poaching.

His campaign, titled “Eyes in the Sky for Our Last Rhinos,” has already raised over R47000 through the support of 37 donors — but there’s still a long way to go, and the urgency couldn't be greater.

Justin’s love for animals started long before he ever saw a rhino. Growing up in Patensie, he was the child who stopped to help injured birds or nursed stray animals back to health. That instinct only deepened with age.

“My early fascination with the natural world led me to a career in anti-poaching, and meeting my first rhino solidified my dedication to their survival.. Now, as the co-founder of Rhino Whisperers NPC, I fight to ensure these majestic creatures can thrive in safety.