Every year on 22 September, World Rhino Day helps to shine a spotlight on the plight of the five rhino species and reminds us of the importance of their protection. For big game hunting legend Robin Hurt and his wife Pauline, the couple behind Habitat for Rhino in Namibia, virtually every day of the year is dedicated to this mission. Thanks to the generous support of individuals and businesses including Rigby, which donates some of the proceeds from the sale of a limited-edition run of 12 London Best rifles, they can continue their work to protect a growing herd of white rhino. You can learn more about Habitat for Rhino and these special London Best guns here.
One of the rhino in the Habitat for Rhino project is Miss Rigby, who was born in 2022 when Rigby’s Managing Director, Marc Newton, was visiting the Hurts. Named in honour of his visit and the company’s support of the project, she has become a symbol of Rigby’s long-standing commitment to conservation. To mark World Rhino Day 2025, Robin has shared an update on her progress and on the challenges and successes the project has experienced in the past year.
Miss Rigby’s progress
Now three years old, Miss Rigby is maturing into independence. Robin explained that she was made to leave her mother’s side when Maerua gave birth to another calf, Rain – named as she was born during the rainy season. Since then, Miss Rigby has adapted well, finding companionship in a young male called Spartacus. “She gets on well with all the rhino but prefers the company of Spartacus,” Robin said, adding that her days are now spent “mainly feeding and wandering her bushveld home.”
Facing the elements
This winter brought an unusual cold snap to Namibia, with temperatures dropping to minus five degrees Celsius and wind chill as low as minus ten. Such weather, Robin noted, can affect both wildlife and livestock. “The rhino are wild and free ranging, so they have to cope with the changes in weather. They have very thick skins so they can deal with cold weather well. However, we hope this will not become a regular feature with each change of season.”
Despite the severity of the cold front, Robin explained that the team did not need to make major adjustments. “No, there is nothing different we need to do. The rangers just dress more warmly when it’s cold!”
The constant threat of poaching
Alongside environmental pressures, the more menacing threat of poaching remains ever-present. “The biggest challenge is to keep being vigilant,” Robin said. “The poaching threat does not go away; it’s constantly on the minds of us and the anti-poaching rangers.”
The ranger team are, in Robin’s words, “the unsung heroes of rhino conservation,” carrying out daily patrols and remaining especially alert at full moon periods, when the risk of poaching is at its highest. Looking ahead, Robin hopes the team will be donated two quad bikes to allow them to cover the wilderness habitat more quickly and effectively.
Herd updates and the costs of conservation
Despite the risks, the herd continues to grow. “Two new calves were born, while a young four-year-old female sadly died of natural causes. Two of the females are pregnant again, and, at the moment, we have 13 rhino in our care.”
Alongside these successes, Robin was as open as ever about the high costs involved in keeping the rhino herd healthy and safe from poachers. “Rhino conservation is very expensive. At least this past season we have not had to buy supplemental feed for the rhino. We had good rains and good grass cover. We now have to be vigilant in watching out for grass fires and we have had to cut numerous fire breaks as a precautionary measure. We mostly fund the project through our hunting and photographic safaris, but this doesn’t come close to covering the costs which are numerous and ongoing. Luckily, we have had some very kind friends helping with funding.”
Partnerships and support
It’s no surprise then that Robin also stressed the importance of external support in keeping the project going. “Without the support of Rigby and others, it’s quite simple – we would not be able to bear the huge cost of stewarding the rhino. We are extremely grateful to Rigby and other friends for partnering with us in conserving both rhino and habitat.” Robin and Pauline were recently named the 2025 winners of the CRAIG Award, recognising their incredible impact on wilderness and wildlife conservation. The CRAIG Award was established by the Longoria-Hosmer Foundation to celebrate conservationists carrying out transformative work in the field.
He explained that the team is currently drilling boreholes for water in select areas, essential for the rhinos’ survival. “Rhino need to drink water daily – and lots of it! In good years like this one water is not a problem but in dry years and in drought times, which happens all too frequently, water is key to their survival.”
Connecting with Habitat for Rhino
One development that has made a difference has been the launch of a new website, designed by Robin’s stepdaughter, Jessica Mousley. “It has made a huge difference to those seeking info on our project, Habitat for Rhino. It helps people to connect with and understand our conservation efforts, not only for rhino, but all wildlife.” You can visit the new Habitat for Rhino website here
A World Rhino Day reflection
On World Rhino Day, Miss Rigby’s story is a reminder of both the challenges and the progress in rhino conservation. From her first steps at her mother’s side to her growing independence, she reflects the resilience of her species and the dedication of those who protect them. As Robin made clear, safeguarding rhinos is an expensive and demanding task, but with vigilance, partnerships and global awareness, there is hope for their future.
For Rigby, supporting Habitat for Rhino is a way of linking past to present – honouring heritage while contributing to the protection of Africa’s wildlife. On this World Rhino Day, we are proud to share Robin’s words and to reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that stories like Miss Rigby’s continue to be told.
