Across Africa, rhinos are fighting for survival. By 1960, poaching had decimated Africa’s
300,000-strong white rhino population – fewer than 100 survived. Poachers then shifted
their attention to black rhinos. By 1992, there were no wild rhinos left in Botswana.
After a brief recovery, poachers have been killing more than three rhinos every day in
South Africa alone since 2008. All of this killing is to feed the demand for rhino horn
amongst a growing middle class in the Far East, where it is believed – wrongly – that the
product has medicinal properties.
With South Africa championing consumptive use of rhinos, Botswana could be their last
hope. One team is working to increase and protect populations of black and white rhinos in
Botswana. This is both the story of the return of the rhino to Botswana and how the
country is leading the recovery of these species amidst a global poaching crisis.
Neil Aldridge is a conservationist, photographer, lecturer at Falmouth University, World Press winner, chair of the World Press Nature & Environment jury, and a trustee of the charity Animals Saving Animals.
Awards 2018
World Press, Winner, Environment singles
Picture of the Year International, 2nd place, Science & Natural History
Sony World Photography Awards, Shortlisted, Natural World & Wildlife
European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, Man & Nature
Magical Nature, Highly Commended, Man & Nature
NPPA Best of Photojournalism, Winner, Environment story
NPPA Best of Photojournalism, Honourable Mention, Environment single
Paris Photo Prize, 3rd Place, Press
Paris Photo Prize, Gold Award, Nature
Nature Photographer of the Year, Winner, Portfolio
2017
MontPhoto Contest, Highly Commended, Environmental report
MontPhoto Contest, Highly Commended, Environmental report
Montphoto WWF Grant, Shortlisted Finalist
Oasis Photo Contest, Winner, story
2016
Nature Images Awards, Highly Commended, Mankind & Nature Photoreport
Montphoto WWF Grant, Shortlisted Finalist
Sunday Times Wilderness Photograph of the Year, Finalist
Asferico Photo Contest, Highly Commended, Mammals
Asferico Photo Contest, Highly Commended, Urban Nature
Golden Turtle, Commended, Mammals
2015
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, Urban
Nature Images Awards, Highly Commended, Threatened Species Report
2014
European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Grand Title Winner
European Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, Underwater
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, People’s Choice Nominee
Nature's Best Awards, Highly Honoured, Art in Nature
2013
British Wildlife Photography Awards, Winner, Documentary
British Wildlife Photography Awards, Highly Commended, Wild Woods
British Wildlife Photography Awards, Highly Commended, Botanical Britain
2012
Int. Conservation Photography Awards, 3rd Place, Documentary
Int. Conservation Photography Awards, Highly Commended, Landscapes
2011
British Wildlife Photography Awards, Winner, Documentary
2010
Wildlife Photographer of the Year, Highly Commended, Gerald Durrell Award
iLCP, 12Shots 'Extinction' Exhibition
