Hike4Rhinos – Jo Devenish’s 4265 km expedition for endangered rhinos

Jo Devenish’s 4265 km 5-month long hike along the Pacific Crest Trail from the Mexican border to the Canadian border, all in a pledge to raise awareness and funds to conserve the endangered rhino.

Dates: 27 April – 7 October 2017

Route: Pacific Crest Trail – From Campo, California, to Manning Park, Canada

Distance: 4265 km/2650 miles

Proceeds raised: Over $20 000

This nature-lover’s life journey has taken her from her native South Africa to her current home in the Canadian Arctic. Her 2017 adventure saw her walking from the Mexican border to Western Canada. Her passion for hiking and exploring is equaled only by her overwhelming desire to help conserve our endangered species, especially the rhino.

Jo set off on her Hike4Rhinos adventure from Campo near the Mexican border where she began her hike early on the morning of 27 April, 2017. Her hope was to finish the trail by October, and she finally arrived at her finish point in Manning Park in British Columbia on 7 October 2017. An enormous achievement.

The route was along the scenic Pacific Crest Trail, which is designated a National Scenic Trail. It is 2650 miles (4265 km) long and stretches from the Mexican border, near the small town of Campo in Southern California; to Manning Provincial Park in British Columbia, Canada. The route travels through 25 national forests and seven national parks, most of it through protected wilderness area.

The Southern African Wildlife College would like to congratulate Jo on her achievement; we celebrate her and her efforts aimed at helping raise awareness on the plight of Africa’s rhino being killed for their horn. It has certainly been an epic walk, so well done to Jo on this incredible feat!

This inconceivable 5-month expedition has helped to raise funds to assist with anti- poaching training and in caring for orphaned rhinos to allow these animals to continue to survive despite all the odds. Just under R300, 000 was raised via pledges and donations in support of this cause.

All monies raised and donated will go directly to two specified beneficiaries; the Southern African Wildlife College (SAWC) and the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC).