Two South African sisters who are raising awareness on rhino protection by biking across Asia stopped in Ho Chi Minh City on Thursday.
Ness, 30, and Vicky, 35, who come from Cape Town, said their “Buy No Rhino” cycling tour aims to call on people not to consume the horn of rhinos.
Rhino poaching has dramatically increased with 1,200 rhinos being killed for their horns in South Africa in 2014, significantly up from 333 ones in 2010, Vicky said. Around 780 rhinos have been killed so far this year, she said.
If we do not act decisively, rhinos may become extinct soon, she said.
Ness and Vicky at a stop during their cycling trip in Vietnam. Photo credit: Buy No Rhino
Ness and Vicky plan to visit some schools in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi later this month, talking with students to improve their awareness on rhino protection.
They will also join some activities to celebrate the World Rhino Day (September 22) in Vietnam.
To celebrate the event, the South African Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City plans to organize a cycling tour across the city with the participation of 1,000 volunteers, according to Honorary Consul Do Thi Kim Lien.