European Tour pros tweet horror at poaching crisis

Ernie Els, meanwhile, tweeted about the wider issue of poaching in the area – with the four-time major winner understanding that 11 rhinos had been killed in the Pilansberg region alone in the last two weeks.

Up to 91 rhinos are killed every month and, if the slaughtering of the animals continues at such a rate, there will none left in the wild in as little as ten years’ time.

Earlier this year, South African pros Justin Walters and Dean Burmester set up Birdies4Rhinos – a charity that tour pros donate to for every birdie that they make.

In a short period of time, Richard Bland, Chris Paisley, Eddie Pepperell – even Justin Rose – have followed, while Ladies European Tour pros Nicole Garcia and Stacy Bregman are also part of the movement.

And, after seeing the extent of poaching for themselves, the cause may have another few supporters moving forward. For more information, visit birdies4rhinos.com or follow @Birdies4Rhinos on Twitter.