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Saving the Last Rhinos: The Life of a Frontline Conservationist
Each year, more than 1,000 rhinoceroses are killed - in South Africa alone. There are fewer than 18,000 white rhinos and only 5,000 black rhinos left alive in the wild. The situation with regard to this corrupt illegal war on wildlife is clearly critical.
An what are rhinos killed for? Their horns - sold in shavings as a snake-oil 'cure' for colds or impotence. The going price is $16,000 a kilogram, but a rhino's horn is simply keratin, the same material as our fingernails, with no magical, medicinal properties.
Grant Fowlds is a passionate conservationist on the front line of protecting these iconic animals - right now, against armed poachers; but in the longer term, too, through his work with schoolchildren, communities and policymakers.
He is fiercely focused on highlighting the alarming increase in rhino poaching, a scourge which has put these mighty animals at serious threat of extinction. He is a partner of Rhino Art, founded by philanthropic adventurer Kingsley Holgate. Rhino Art's 'Let the children's voices be heard' project aims to gather the largest number of children's 'Art Voices' ever recorded, in support of rhino protection, and to use these heartfelt messages from the children of Africa and elsewhere in the world as a rallying cry against rhino poaching.
Grant works closely with all the biggest local and global conservation agencies, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). He has hosted Prince Harry at his family's game lodge, Leeuwenbosch, and the prince is very supportive of Grant's work.
©2019 Grant Fowlds, Graham Spence (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK
An what are rhinos killed for? Their horns - sold in shavings as a snake-oil 'cure' for colds or impotence. The going price is $16,000 a kilogram, but a rhino's horn is simply keratin, the same material as our fingernails, with no magical, medicinal properties.
Grant Fowlds is a passionate conservationist on the front line of protecting these iconic animals - right now, against armed poachers; but in the longer term, too, through his work with schoolchildren, communities and policymakers.
He is fiercely focused on highlighting the alarming increase in rhino poaching, a scourge which has put these mighty animals at serious threat of extinction. He is a partner of Rhino Art, founded by philanthropic adventurer Kingsley Holgate. Rhino Art's 'Let the children's voices be heard' project aims to gather the largest number of children's 'Art Voices' ever recorded, in support of rhino protection, and to use these heartfelt messages from the children of Africa and elsewhere in the world as a rallying cry against rhino poaching.
Grant works closely with all the biggest local and global conservation agencies, including the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). He has hosted Prince Harry at his family's game lodge, Leeuwenbosch, and the prince is very supportive of Grant's work.
©2019 Grant Fowlds, Graham Spence (P)2019 Hachette Audio UK
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First published November 7, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 30, 2019
I was in a small bookstore in Queenstown, New Zealand when a picture of a rhinoceros on the cover of a book 'Saving the Last Rhinos' caught my eye. I was instantly drawn to it and began reading the blurb. I have an affinity towards wildlife conservation as I care deeply for animals, I knew this was the book for me.
As I began to read Grant's book the bubble i had been living in burst. I knew there was cruelty and malice in the poaching of wildlife however, it was confronting to read about just how bad it truly is. The devastation it causes is irreparable. The work Grant does alongside his fellow conservationists is commendable and deserves much, much more international coverage. The mercilessly cruel slaughter of wildlife for financial profit is a testament to the evil that runs within humans. I was in tears during part of the book due to the sheer cruelty inflicted upon not only the rhinoceros' but the Gorillas and the elephants and countless other African wildlife.
Though the conservationists fight tooth and nail to preserve the Rhinoceros and other endangered wildlife of Africa, they are fighting a relentless evil, that doesn't stop. I can only hope that this book is read by countless animal lovers and future conservationists who can help spread awareness to end the slaughter of the detrimentally endangered Rhinoceros.
This is a hard book to read in part due to the truth of what really goes on to the wildlife in Africa. Despite it being difficult to read in some parts due to the emotionally charged scenes depicted through Grant's writing, I highly recommend others read this so awareness can spread to help end the cruel torture and murder of God's innocent creatures.
As I began to read Grant's book the bubble i had been living in burst. I knew there was cruelty and malice in the poaching of wildlife however, it was confronting to read about just how bad it truly is. The devastation it causes is irreparable. The work Grant does alongside his fellow conservationists is commendable and deserves much, much more international coverage. The mercilessly cruel slaughter of wildlife for financial profit is a testament to the evil that runs within humans. I was in tears during part of the book due to the sheer cruelty inflicted upon not only the rhinoceros' but the Gorillas and the elephants and countless other African wildlife.
Though the conservationists fight tooth and nail to preserve the Rhinoceros and other endangered wildlife of Africa, they are fighting a relentless evil, that doesn't stop. I can only hope that this book is read by countless animal lovers and future conservationists who can help spread awareness to end the slaughter of the detrimentally endangered Rhinoceros.
This is a hard book to read in part due to the truth of what really goes on to the wildlife in Africa. Despite it being difficult to read in some parts due to the emotionally charged scenes depicted through Grant's writing, I highly recommend others read this so awareness can spread to help end the cruel torture and murder of God's innocent creatures.
October 15, 2021
A nice story if you don't know too much about the rhino poaching crisis in South Africa. It unfortunately and frustratingly tries to stay too politically correct and thus fails to deal with the role Corruption is playing in the decimation of South Africa's rhinos. Issues such as the inadequate, crippled and corrupt justice system, convicted poachers being let out of jail early by South Africa's President, lack of border security were not discussed. Issues such as WWF's insistence on only supporting rhinos that are at least 70% black owned were not critiqued. A large portion of the book deals with Grant's work with the Holgate Foundation but no proof is provided that Rhino Art has resulted in any communities stopping poaching. There are massive issues facing rhino conservation in South Africa today and with the big conservation organizations refusing to help the small private rhino owners, unless they're allowed to dart their rhinos, remove the horns and sell them, just like a farmer sells his sheep's wool, we are going to lose the thousands of rhinos under private ownership simply because Politics is being allowed to dictate that no aid can be provided to owners because they are white. The massive divide between the organizations supporting only SAN Parks, community owned and Ezemvelo's rhinos and the rhinos owned privately is surely worthy of much investigation and careful discussion, as there are more privately owned rhinos in South Africa than state and community owned.
So, if you want a nice story to read, it's a sweet ambling tale with some interesting anecdotes. There are sections of the book that are interesting, but off topic such as the car accident and the work in other African countries which didn't achieve anything for rhino conservation. Including those topics should have resulted in a change of the title to something like Grant Fowlds' Autobiography.
But if you want to know all of the true problems in South Africa threatening all of our rhinos, the truth about rhino hunting in South Africa and live rhinos exported to the East, then this book tragically has missed the opportunity to educate its readers about the whole truth of why South Africa's rhinos are plummeting in numbers.
So, if you want a nice story to read, it's a sweet ambling tale with some interesting anecdotes. There are sections of the book that are interesting, but off topic such as the car accident and the work in other African countries which didn't achieve anything for rhino conservation. Including those topics should have resulted in a change of the title to something like Grant Fowlds' Autobiography.
But if you want to know all of the true problems in South Africa threatening all of our rhinos, the truth about rhino hunting in South Africa and live rhinos exported to the East, then this book tragically has missed the opportunity to educate its readers about the whole truth of why South Africa's rhinos are plummeting in numbers.
June 14, 2020
This book is incredible! It shows such an important side of conservation, one that includes the importance of community and education.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is considering a career in conservation. You learn here that it’s not easy, and you need to meet a lot of people to start heading in the right direction, but it also shows the courage and determination of conservationists.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who is considering a career in conservation. You learn here that it’s not easy, and you need to meet a lot of people to start heading in the right direction, but it also shows the courage and determination of conservationists.
January 23, 2021
The author’s passion for wildlife is palpable with the turn of every page of this book. From the very beginning, the story eloquently describes the difficulties associated with wildlife conservation, including finding funding, bureaucracy and lack of political will, while also highlighting the importance of community engagement and empowerment in combating wildlife trafficking and poaching. The book is easy to read and I would recommend it to anyone interested in finding out first-hand what life is like for people working on the frontline to protect endangered species.
July 6, 2023
I cried through most of this book. It's just the tale of how this guy got involved in his work but it's rich full of personal history and culture and paints a deeper picture of South Africa. I've had friends and colleagues from SA and a brother in law from there but I never really saw this place as so colourful until now. If you are an average person who has a basic respect for animals, it will also show you the reality and make a you see how not far off the mark Climate Fiction books are. Great read.
March 31, 2020
I can't understand how such horrific things can be done to one of Gods beautiful creatures. I found this book heartbreaking and cried while reading how brutally the rhinos horns are hacked off by poachers. Poachers..... the lowest low of humanity. This book is about how these beautiful creatures are butchered, and the incredible people who fight tooth & nail to try look after them and keep them safe for generations to also see.
January 6, 2021
Grant writes simply, yet his message is strong without the need for flamboyant ramblings. A man with nature in his heart and fire in his belly, Grant takes us on his journey in a fight to save the defenceless. He message is inspiring and his solution both complex and simple.
Simply it is humans that cause the destruction, yet only humans can stop it.
Would definitely recommend this read!
Simply it is humans that cause the destruction, yet only humans can stop it.
Would definitely recommend this read!
February 9, 2025
This book shines in how it makes you feel, especially if you're an avid animal lover, juggling being truly heartbreaking and rather uplifting at moments. Describing one’s story into a life of dedicated conservation and what it brings to one’s doorstep. The authors write the story in such a charming way while providing light slice-of-life stories that it makes the truly terrifying stuff in the book feel like tonal whiplash, especially with what horrific things are shared. If a book could talk, this would be the one with how far the descriptions are done. I’d lie, if I had said, I didn't shed a tear in some parts. Granted, The book is amazing; it does have its issues, like it's rather disjointed at times and having the issue of cutting specific payoffs of stories in it too quickly sometimes, but overall, this book was great and has so many messages not just about conservation but courage, bravery, and compassion. Such a worthwhile journey.
December 5, 2020
What a great story! I was lucky enough to visit Amakhala Game Reserve, which is talked about in the book. The progress that has been made in educating the public and conservation efforts is a huge step forward. A beautiful part of the world to see if you ever get the chance. Very enlightening as to what is happening in the world of conservation in Africa. Seeing animals in their natural habitats and roaming free is one of the best feelings in the world! We all need to do our part wherever we are in the world. A great read!
May 7, 2021
Remarkably wrote about Rhinos: Critical endangered species need to help for surviving from poaching and illegal wildlife trade. This book is amazing story how author meet to rhinos and keep going to save rhinos. Author drew reality of South African living with family and what is ethically important thinking wildlife. Many issues are complicated and shocking however we can touch "human heartful wildlife conservation activities" through Grant in this book. Enjoy
December 31, 2019
This book is awesome, breathtaking, and if you are at all interested in the future of our abused and injured planet you will be shocked but also encouraged. A handful of brave, committed people are really making a difference. This is in the face of ignorance, cruelty and the fact that "empty stomachs have no ears".
Thank you Grant Fowlds for telling this story.
Thank you Grant Fowlds for telling this story.
October 17, 2021
Amazing that there are true warriors fighting so hard for our "chubby unicorns". Thanks to Grant, his family and all the wonderful people mentioned in this book for what you have done!
Truly inspired.
Truly inspired.
January 12, 2023
Great topic and content but not a great book. Writing and narrative lacking. Book reads as just a chronological telling of his time as a conservationist without a clear arc or story to make a book out of.
March 25, 2020
Fascinating window to such a tough world. A pioneer in action.
September 8, 2021
Well told story on a truly horrendous topic
January 25, 2025
It’s amazing how selfless and determined a conservationist needs to be. What an inspiration this book is!
February 11, 2020
Grant Fowlds tells of the hope and the despair of rhino conservation.
Grant Fowlds grew up on Leeuwenbosch, a 2200-hectare farm outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. His love of animals and conservation started here – with a herd of goats. After graduating from Cedara Agricultural College, Grant returned to his family’s farm and became the second largest protein milk producer in South Africa. When drought wiped out the dairy, he and his father realised that if they were to keep the farm they needed to change direction and start game ranching.
Converting their original farm to game ranching/a game lodge meant that adjacent farmland either needed to be purchased or their owners enticed into joining them to create the lodge. Land expropriation had also begun in South Africa and the Fowlds needed to involve the chiefs of all the tribes living in the area to not only participate in the development of Amakhala but become involved through work or setting up auxiliary services to ensure they too would benefit from this project.
Grant Fowlds could have simply carried on developing Amakhala. Fortunately for al0l wild animals, he chose to take on a far more important role; trying to find lasting solutions to prevent rhinos being poached on an almost daily basis so that their horns could be smuggled to the Far East for people to buy for their twisted ideas that the horn contains “magic potions” to cure everything from impotence to cancer. Poaching is not only about rhino, but all animal inhabitants of reserves.
Grant was invited to join Kingsley Holgate, a partner in the Shakaland Hotel and Zulu Cultural Village complex as a part-time project manager for the complex. He also joined Kingsley in taking Rhino Art to schools throughout Africa and even Vietnam. These visits to school are to educate children, who will hopefully educate their parents to realise that poaching rhino for their horns will not help them out of poverty and hardship, only conservation and tourism will do this.
Thanks to the knowledge he has from converting the family farm into a game lodge, Grant Fowlds has used his knowledge and expertise to help other farmers create private reserves and help the people who live in the surrounding areas to join with them to ensure that they too benefit from the tourism this expansion will bring to their areas.
I can’t find enough words to thank Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence for sharing Grant’s story. I shed many tears in anger reading about the demonic behaviour that the poachers use for killing these ancient beasts, but also much laughter and excitement to hear what is being done to save them.
Everyone should read this book. The more people who understand what nature faces daily to survive the better. Other books have given us insights into conservation – this book makes you truly sit up and listen.
Rony
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review.
Grant Fowlds grew up on Leeuwenbosch, a 2200-hectare farm outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. His love of animals and conservation started here – with a herd of goats. After graduating from Cedara Agricultural College, Grant returned to his family’s farm and became the second largest protein milk producer in South Africa. When drought wiped out the dairy, he and his father realised that if they were to keep the farm they needed to change direction and start game ranching.
Converting their original farm to game ranching/a game lodge meant that adjacent farmland either needed to be purchased or their owners enticed into joining them to create the lodge. Land expropriation had also begun in South Africa and the Fowlds needed to involve the chiefs of all the tribes living in the area to not only participate in the development of Amakhala but become involved through work or setting up auxiliary services to ensure they too would benefit from this project.
Grant Fowlds could have simply carried on developing Amakhala. Fortunately for al0l wild animals, he chose to take on a far more important role; trying to find lasting solutions to prevent rhinos being poached on an almost daily basis so that their horns could be smuggled to the Far East for people to buy for their twisted ideas that the horn contains “magic potions” to cure everything from impotence to cancer. Poaching is not only about rhino, but all animal inhabitants of reserves.
Grant was invited to join Kingsley Holgate, a partner in the Shakaland Hotel and Zulu Cultural Village complex as a part-time project manager for the complex. He also joined Kingsley in taking Rhino Art to schools throughout Africa and even Vietnam. These visits to school are to educate children, who will hopefully educate their parents to realise that poaching rhino for their horns will not help them out of poverty and hardship, only conservation and tourism will do this.
Thanks to the knowledge he has from converting the family farm into a game lodge, Grant Fowlds has used his knowledge and expertise to help other farmers create private reserves and help the people who live in the surrounding areas to join with them to ensure that they too benefit from the tourism this expansion will bring to their areas.
I can’t find enough words to thank Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence for sharing Grant’s story. I shed many tears in anger reading about the demonic behaviour that the poachers use for killing these ancient beasts, but also much laughter and excitement to hear what is being done to save them.
Everyone should read this book. The more people who understand what nature faces daily to survive the better. Other books have given us insights into conservation – this book makes you truly sit up and listen.
Rony
Elite Book Group received a copy of the book to review.
April 23, 2021
Not just a thoroughly absorbing read, this book will make you sad, angry and hopeful in equal measure. If you love Rhinos or indeed any of the amazing animals in Africa this book will move you and make you want to do something, anything , no matter how small to help further the efforts of people like Grant and his fellow animal welfare warriors.
May 27, 2020
Easy to read, well written, compelling, adventurous. The author really convinces the reader why rhinos are truly a treasure worth protecting in an ongoing, intense, and deadly fight against wildlife poaching.
November 22, 2025
One rhino a day is killed by poachers in South Africa The story begins at a black market in Vietnam where author and eco-warrior Grant Fowlds is sweating bullets while he attempts to purchase illegally poached rhino horn from a group of thugs. He’s hoping to prove once and for all, this is where the black market for smuggled rhino horn thrives. If he succeeds in buying the horn shavings, all he has to do next is smuggle it through both countries’ state of the art customs searches which both target illicit wildlife products.
This tale is just one of many exhilarating stories in Saving the Last Rhinos. Expect to journey chapter by chapter across South Africa, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Congo learning about astounding conservation efforts ranging from Rhino facial reconstruction to horseback anti-poaching troops. In particular, it’s fascinating to learn about the unique challenges of working with large African animals, whose transportation costs are extravagant and whose bodies are so massive they can crush their own internal organs when sedated.
I greatly appreciate Fowlds brief background into his early life, and his candid humility sharing both successes and failures. The tales from his time trying to set up Parc de N’Sele in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlight the reality and heartbreak than can accompany ambitious goals. It’s also a testament to Fowld’s character that he shares the limelight so well in his book, highlighting scores of innovative conservation efforts taking place across Africa, especially the stories of John Kahekwa, who sounds like the absolute soul of gorilla conversation in the DRC.
This book is a great primer on conservation work and to all the critics who said Fowlds was too politically correct, get a hobby. I’d rather read the stories of someone making a tangible difference in a challenging space through empathy and savvy than the story of a malcontent, with nothing but gripes about why they can’t overcome adversity any day!
This tale is just one of many exhilarating stories in Saving the Last Rhinos. Expect to journey chapter by chapter across South Africa, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Congo learning about astounding conservation efforts ranging from Rhino facial reconstruction to horseback anti-poaching troops. In particular, it’s fascinating to learn about the unique challenges of working with large African animals, whose transportation costs are extravagant and whose bodies are so massive they can crush their own internal organs when sedated.
I greatly appreciate Fowlds brief background into his early life, and his candid humility sharing both successes and failures. The tales from his time trying to set up Parc de N’Sele in the Democratic Republic of Congo highlight the reality and heartbreak than can accompany ambitious goals. It’s also a testament to Fowld’s character that he shares the limelight so well in his book, highlighting scores of innovative conservation efforts taking place across Africa, especially the stories of John Kahekwa, who sounds like the absolute soul of gorilla conversation in the DRC.
This book is a great primer on conservation work and to all the critics who said Fowlds was too politically correct, get a hobby. I’d rather read the stories of someone making a tangible difference in a challenging space through empathy and savvy than the story of a malcontent, with nothing but gripes about why they can’t overcome adversity any day!
January 9, 2020
Grant Fowlds tells of the hope and the despair of rhino conservation.
Grant Fowlds grew up on Leeuwenbosch, a 2200-hectare farm outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. His love of animals and conservation started here – with a herd of goats. After graduating from Cedara Agricultural College, Grant returned to his family’s farm and became the second largest protein milk producer in South Africa. When drought wiped out the dairy, he and his father realised that if they were to keep the farm they needed to change direction and start game ranching.
Converting their original farm to game ranching/a game lodge meant that adjacent farmland either needed to be purchased or their owners enticed into joining them to create the lodge. Land expropriation had also begun in South Africa and the Fowlds needed to involve the chiefs of all the tribes living in the area to not only participate in the development of Amakhala but become involved through work or setting up auxiliary services to ensure they too would benefit from this project.
Grant Fowlds could have simply carried on developing Amakhala. Fortunately for all wild animals, he chose to take on a far more important role; trying to find lasting solutions to prevent rhinos being poached on an almost daily basis so that their horns could be smuggled to the Far East for people to buy for their twisted ideas that the horn contains “magic potions” to cure everything from impotence to cancer. Poaching is not only about rhino, but all animal inhabitants of reserves.
Grant was invited to join Kingsley Holgate, a partner in the Shakaland Hotel and Zulu Cultural Village complex as a part-time project manager for the complex. He also joined Kingsley in taking Rhino Art to schools throughout Africa and even Vietnam. These visits to school are to educate children, who will hopefully educate their parents to realise that poaching rhino for their horns will not help them out of poverty and hardship, only conservation and tourism will do this.
Thanks to the knowledge he has from converting the family farm into a game lodge, Grant Fowlds has used his knowledge and expertise to help other farmers create private reserves and help the people who live in the surrounding areas to join with them to ensure that they too benefit from the tourism this expansion will bring to their areas.
I can’t find enough words to thank Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence for sharing Grant’s story. I shed many tears in anger reading about the demonic behaviour that the poachers use for killing these ancient beasts, but also much laughter and excitement to hear what is being done to save them.
Everyone should read this book. The more people who understand what nature faces on a daily basis to survive the better. Other books have given us insights into conservation – this book makes you truly sit up and listen.
Rony
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Grant Fowlds grew up on Leeuwenbosch, a 2200-hectare farm outside Port Elizabeth in the Eastern Cape, South Africa. His love of animals and conservation started here – with a herd of goats. After graduating from Cedara Agricultural College, Grant returned to his family’s farm and became the second largest protein milk producer in South Africa. When drought wiped out the dairy, he and his father realised that if they were to keep the farm they needed to change direction and start game ranching.
Converting their original farm to game ranching/a game lodge meant that adjacent farmland either needed to be purchased or their owners enticed into joining them to create the lodge. Land expropriation had also begun in South Africa and the Fowlds needed to involve the chiefs of all the tribes living in the area to not only participate in the development of Amakhala but become involved through work or setting up auxiliary services to ensure they too would benefit from this project.
Grant Fowlds could have simply carried on developing Amakhala. Fortunately for all wild animals, he chose to take on a far more important role; trying to find lasting solutions to prevent rhinos being poached on an almost daily basis so that their horns could be smuggled to the Far East for people to buy for their twisted ideas that the horn contains “magic potions” to cure everything from impotence to cancer. Poaching is not only about rhino, but all animal inhabitants of reserves.
Grant was invited to join Kingsley Holgate, a partner in the Shakaland Hotel and Zulu Cultural Village complex as a part-time project manager for the complex. He also joined Kingsley in taking Rhino Art to schools throughout Africa and even Vietnam. These visits to school are to educate children, who will hopefully educate their parents to realise that poaching rhino for their horns will not help them out of poverty and hardship, only conservation and tourism will do this.
Thanks to the knowledge he has from converting the family farm into a game lodge, Grant Fowlds has used his knowledge and expertise to help other farmers create private reserves and help the people who live in the surrounding areas to join with them to ensure that they too benefit from the tourism this expansion will bring to their areas.
I can’t find enough words to thank Grant Fowlds and Graham Spence for sharing Grant’s story. I shed many tears in anger reading about the demonic behaviour that the poachers use for killing these ancient beasts, but also much laughter and excitement to hear what is being done to save them.
Everyone should read this book. The more people who understand what nature faces on a daily basis to survive the better. Other books have given us insights into conservation – this book makes you truly sit up and listen.
Rony
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews