The Yorkies helping to save Africa's endangered wild rhinos

They’re one of the most majestic animals of the African plains: large, powerful grazers with prominent horns, twitching ears - and a fearsome reputation.

But within a few short years, unless we mend our ways, both species of African rhino - the black and the white - could be driven to extinction by relentless poaching.

Patsy Stagman of charity Rhino Revolution estimates that there are perhaps 4,000 black rhinos left in the wild, and 17,000 of the larger but less aggressive white rhinos. "But we're losing about 3-4 rhinos every day to poaching," she says.

The problem is that rhino horn its worth its weight in gold. In fact, if anything, it's even more valuable. "It is just about the most valuable commodity on the planet," says York-based wildlife photographer David Harrison, a Rhino Revolution volunteer.

Rhino horn is valued as an ingredient in traditional medicine in China and other Asian countries - powdered and dissolved in boiling water, the horn is said to be a cure for everything from fever to gout and rheumatism.

But it is also, like ivory, valued as a material: for making jewellery, ornamental cups, paperweights and even dagger handles.

Bling made from rhino horn is increasingly becoming a status symbol, says Patsy. "There's an insatiable appetite for it among the wealthy middle class in Asia."

Wild rhinos are therefore wandering around with a fortune on their foreheads - a huge temptation to organised international rhino-horn smugglers.

The adults are slaughtered, their priceless horns cut off. "And from the time a rhino is standing in the Kruger national park (in South Africa) to the horn arriving in Hanoi can be as little as 27 hours," Patsy says.

As a result, much of the huge effort put into preserving wild rhinos in the last couple of decades is being undone. "At the moment, we're losing the war," Patsy says.

That - combined with a catastrophic drought in the Kruger area of South Africa last year in which many rhino calves were lost - means that both species are being pushed ever closer to extinction, in the wild at least.

Rhino Revolution was set up in South Africa a few years ago to try to help save these magnificent beasts.

One of the most distressing things about the illegal poaching of rhino horn is that it leaves behind orphans. The mothers are killed for their horn, leaving bewildered babies or calves standing beside the bodies.

"They become hungry and increasingly traumatised," says Patsy, Rhino Revolution's unpaid international development manager, who spends half her time living in South Africa and half living right here in York.

Rhino Revolution has a three-pronged strategy to try to save these orphans: rescue, rehabilitation and release into the wild.

The organisation opened a rhino orphanage in the 'Greater Kruger' area in 2015: a place where orphaned rhinos could be brought, looked after by trained vets, and eventually released back into the wild - a closely protected conservancy area that is part of the Kruger.

Before release, the young rhinos are also 'dehorned': their valuable horns removed so that they are no longer a target for poachers.

The first group of five young white rhinos were released back into the wild last December, and are said to be doing well.

David Harrison photographed them in the orphanage last August - and again, soon after they had been released.

Back in his home town of York, he contacted Patsy - and is now closely involved with the separate UK charity she set up a year ago, Rhino Revolution UK.

Formed as a result of a meeting in Brigantes pub in Micklegate a year ago, this has now achieved charitable status in its own right and has 400 members from all over the UK. Its aim is to support the work of Rhino Revolution in South Africa, by raising funds, and increasing awareness about the plight of wild rhinos and the work that rhino Revolution is doing.

On April 28, a fundraising dinner at The Principal Hotel in York raised £12,000. Mia Leen and Olivia Simon, two students from Askham Bryan College, raised a further £760 through an organised dog walk.

York is the perfect place in which to base Rhino Revolution UK, because it is in the centre of the country, midway between Scotland and London, Patsy says.

She knows that there are many British people who would like to be able to help. "We have people who say 'I have never been to Africa, I have never seen a rhino, but I would like to be involved."

And so you can be. You don't need to be there on the ground in South Africa, Patsy says. You just need to be willing to raise some money - or spread the word.

She's often asked what people can do to help. "And I say, go and tell three people every day!"

Education and awareness is hugely important, she says.

That means partly persuading people in Africa that their wildlife is a precious resource. Many African children have never seen a rhino, she points out. So part of Rhino Revolution's work involves visiting local schools in South Africa, to talk to children, and to help them realise the difference their wildlife could make to their future, if only they learn how to look after them.

She's talked to children in African schools herself - and explained about all the rich Americans and Europeans who come to visit the Kruger. "The children all know how rich they are, and the things they have - the wealth, the Ferraris and big cars. And I say 'what do you think you have that makes them want to come here? It is because of these animals. These are your wealth, your future'."

But education is also about raising awareness in the rest of the world, not just in Africa, Patsy says. "These animals can still be saved," she says. "But around the world, we have to realise that this is not just an African problem. As long as we think that, the rhinos will be gone - and through nothing other than human greed."

For more information about Rhino Revolution UK, or to find out how you can get involved, email rhinorevolutionuk@gmail.com or visit the Rhino Revolution Support Group on Facebook.