How To Save Rhinos - Are Rhinos Extinct? | Heather Smith | TEDxRoseTree

Raising her hand on a whim to bid on an African safari during a live auction was life-changing for Heather Smith. After 30 years as a nurse and healthcare administrator, on returning from Africa and receiving guidance from conservationists working in Botswana, she founded PA Rhino Conservation Advocates (PARCA), Inc., a 501(c)3 nonprofit with a vision of a world where the rhinoceros lives free from the threat of extinction (www.parcainc.org/TEDx).

Rhino horn is one of the most valuable illegally traded wildlife commodities because it is falsely believed to have medicinal value and is considered a symbol of wealth. PARCA's mission is to fund the relocation and protection of wild rhinos, fund the care of young rhinos orphaned by poaching, and raise public awareness about their plight.

This grassroots effort to help save rhinos from being driven to extinction by poaching has also had an impact on people through the creation and support of jobs, opportunities it has created for travel, and the ability for people to make an impact on the natural world. Heather encourages others to raise their hand when an opportunity presents itself - you just may find a passion with more impact than you can imagine.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at ted.com/tedx