Leveraging Consumer Purchasing Choices is One Way to Save the Rhino from Extinction

SAN FRANCISCO - Nov. 25, 2015 - PRLog -- Leveraging Consumer Purchasing Choices is One Way to Save the Rhino from Extinction

Point Arena, CA - B Bryan Preserve, an African Hoof Stock Conservation Center for rare and endangered species located on the Mendocino coast of California, announced a bold new approach to help save the African Rhino from extinction due to poaching.  “We have changed our purchasing policies to help save the rhino from extinction by no longer selling products manufactured in countries that continue to use Rhino horn.” says owner Dr. Frank Mello. Because of the emerging economies of China and Vietnam,  the demand for rhino horn has skyrocketed to the point that rhino horn is now worth more then it's weight in gold. He indicates that this policy also applies to purchases of construction and other general use items around the Preserve.

The population of rhino has decreased 90% in the last 40 years. To date efforts to save the rhino through user and poacher education and conservation programs have failed. Recently the U.S. and China have reached an import/export ban agreement of rare and endangered animal parts but Dr. Mello feels that  history has proven that these agreements do not work.  Dr. Mello says the only way to save the rhino is by attacking the economy of end user countries for rhino horn, namely China and Vietnam. To compound the problem China has targeted Africa as a country for development to extract resources.  Because of the large Chinese presence in Africa, an extensive smuggling distribution system has been established to more easily traffic rhino horn to China.  “It has gotten so bad that armed guards are required to protect some rhinos from poachers” states Mello

B Bryan Preserve's 1890’s renovated General Store is now stocked with work by talented local artists using the Preserve’s endangered animals as a theme, vintage African inspired items made by Kenya villagers as well as other vintage items. “We go to great lengths to make sure our caps and other apparel are sourced from countries that do not support the use of Rhino horn” stated Mello.  “Shopping in the general store after an educational and entertaining tour is a fun way for guests to take home a special treasure commemorating their visit to our Preserve.”

“At first it was challenging to find affordable products not manufactured in China.  Now with the internet, we are more easily finding comparable cost and higher quality products made in the Americas and other countries. Additionally we changed our merchandise mix to sell more vintage/antique products and products made by local artists which help our local economy.  Even though we are remotely located, local manufacturers and artisans have come out of the woodwork for new business.  To our amazement this policy change has significantly increased our sales and the encouragement from our customers has been inspiring” says Mello. He believes the best way to change China and Vietnam's policy and practice is to hit them where it hurts most, their economy.  Dr. Mello feels that if we could reduce China's annual GDP by 1%,  he believes that this policy and practice would immediately stop.

“I was floored when I recently visited a zoo in the US and found a baseball cap with a Rhino image but made in China. There are many other places where a common hat can be sourced that do not actively use Rhino horn”, stated Mello.

B Bryan Preserve is a certified related facility of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and a member of theZoological Association of America (ZAA). Dr. Mello encourages both organizations and other recreational and theme park venues to follow suit in adapting B Bryan Preserve's policy (yes even aquariums because of China's decimation of the shark population for shark fin soup). He emphasizes that B Bryan Preserve has proven that results-driven conservation can take precedence over commerce profits without losing revenue.

B Bryan Preserve has been actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof Stock for over a decade. Located in Point Arena, California, animals range from critically endangered to endangered and include various species of zebra, giraffe, and antelope. Not a zoo, but a private preserve housing majestic African animals in large open fields. The Preserve offers both lodging and tours daily by appointment only.


Contact Dr. Frank Mello

707-882-2297

fmello@bbryanpreserve.com