Ray DearLove, friend of The Mantis Collection and Worldwide Experience is the founder of the Australian Rhino Project.
The Australian Rhino Project is a conservation organisation which is committed to ensuring the long-term survival of the African rhinoceros in the wild. The Australian Rhino Project, together with the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Orana Wildlife Trust and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, are currently working to expand the population of white rhinos in Australia and New Zealand to maintain a genetically diverse breeding crash that can act as an insurance population should the rhino become extinct in its African homeland.
Over the years, Ray has written a number of poems about the plight of the rhinos, “My Son” being his latest effort.
My Son
As we wander through the glade
I watch my first born, searching for shade
Soon it will be night
With the full moon burning bright
No natural enemies on the plains
Certainly confident, perhaps a little vain
So little but already has the strut
Superior to all animals, no ifs, no buts
The moon is high, it could be daytime
I am blessed with my little man, approaching his prime
I feel the pain before I hear the shot
A deep burning pain in my side, burning hot
My son runs towards me, terrified
I breathe hard, running for the forest, must hide
We crash through the bushes, through the trees
More shots, so close, when will it cease
Deep in the bush we stop, searching for a thicket of thorns
All these people want is my horns
Why must they kill me to win their gory prize
I wish that mine were not such a great size
I lay down to rest, my boy by my side
We must be deathly quiet and hide
How long can I withstand this terrible pain
I must rise, I stand, but then I fall again
We stumble a few steps, him nuzzling my neck
Sobbing, crying, am I ok, he wants to check
My world goes dark and black
Someone, anyone, please save my son from this cruel attack
Ray Dearlove – Founder of the Australian Rhino Project
Email: ray@rhinoray.com
If you would like to volunteer with rhinos in Africa, follow: https://worldwideexperience.com/volunteer/
A full Poetry Book written by Ray Dearlove is available for purchase from one of the Mantis Collection Hotels.
