The killing of a pregnant, desert-adapted black rhino in Kunene has prompted a new awareness campaign aimed at highlighting the importance of Namibia's free-roaming wildlife and the role of communities in conservation.
Launched by Ultimate Earth, the #FindingDorsland campaign aims to raise awareness about Namibia's conservation model, which involves communities living alongside wildlife and benefiting from tourism.
Speaking at the campaign briefing, Ultimate Earth Managing Director Tristan Cowley said the initiative follows the killing of Dorsland, a black rhino cow, in October 2025 in the Red Mountain Joint Management Area.
Dorsland was pregnant and nursing a calf, which was also killed. The incident resulted in the loss of three rhinos, including the unborn calf.
"The concept behind this campaign really is to sensitise Namibians and to create awareness about this incredible asset that we have as Namibia, which in this instance are free-roaming black rhinos. And the way we've gone about this is we've put out a big prize."
Cowley said the company had offered an N$1 million reward for information leading to the arrest of those responsible for the killings. However, there has been no progress in the case.
As part of the campaign, a life-size sculpture of Dorsland and her calf has been created by an anonymous Namibian artist using rocks sourced from the Kunene landscape.
The sculpture has been brought to Windhoek, where members of the public are invited to find it and participate in the campaign.
"We are going to put Dorsland out in Windhoek, and the concept is that people need to find Dorsland, and when they find Dorsland, they need to take a picture or a video, a selfie with Dorsland and the calf, and then in the comment section of the competition post, tell us what free roaming black rhino means to them and to Namibia. The combination of the best video, photo and commentary will win the stay."
The winner and five friends will receive an all-inclusive two-night stay at Onduli Enclave in Damaraland, valued at more than N$165 000.
The prize also includes an opportunity to track Namibia's free-roaming black rhinos.
The competition closes on 18 November 2026, with the winner to be announced the following day.