American actress Kelly Preston has given her full support to a local anti-rhino poaching initiative.

The mom of three and wife to John Travolta is a keen environmentalist and was friends with the late Lawrence Anthony, author of The Last Rhino and The Elephant Whisperer.

She says we should be inspired by Anthony’s example and do all we can to save and protect our rhino.

Preston has endorsed East Coast Radio’s KZN Rhino Watch helicopter project, which partners with the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation.

“I am reaching out to all of you to please do whatever you can to assist with the massive rhino crisis that we are faced with in South Africa. There are only around 22 000 rhino left in South Africa and at the current rate of poaching, we are looking at extinction by the year 2050. But with massive escalation of poaching, it could be sooner,” she said.

“I am pleading with you to please make your donation today to help save these beautiful animals. It is all of our responsibility to do whatever we can to save them.

“My dear friend Lawrence Anthony did so much to help save animals during his life. I urge you to support the helicopter program which the Lawrence Anthony Earth Organisation is running with East Coast Radio. Any amount will help. Let’s all make a difference and thank you, thank you, thank you for your support,” said Preston.

The KZN Rhino Watch chopper – funded through donations – has been back at Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park for six weeks. In that time, more than R880 000 has been raised in donations and pledges.

At least 57 rhino have been poached this year in KwaZulu-Natal – almost 70 percent more than for the whole of last year.

To get involved, go to the East Coast Radio website and click on News-KZN Rhino Watch.