FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact:

Jeremy Taylor

PO Box 261

Selkirk NY 12158

jeremyjtaylor@yahoo.com

(518) 956-0008 Ravena, NY - In honor of his upcoming 40th birthday, Ravena resident Jeremy Taylor has decided to donate his birthday to rhinos. Rhino poaching has reached unprecedented levels - over 1200 were poached in South Africa alone in 2014. If this is not brought under control, rhinos will be extinct within decades. At the turn of the 20th century, there were an estimated 500,000

rhinos spread across Africa and Asia, yet today there remain less than 30,000.

"I may never have a chance to travel to see these magnificent animals in the wild," said Taylor, "but if I do, I hope that there are still some left to see!" Taylor had his first close encounter with rhinos around the year 2000, when he was employed as an animal keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom. During an open house at the rhino barn, he was able to get up close to and pet a couple of white rhinos. "It was an incredible experience" said Taylor, "one that inspired a strong interest in these animals and their conservation."

There are many organizations currently working to help protect rhinos and save them from extinction. Although he works 2 jobs to help make ends meet, Jeremy still donates a portion of each paycheck to wildlife and environmental organizations. "I want to do more," said Jeremy. "The small amount I am able to give each month just isn't enough. I want my upcoming 40th

birthday to mean something, so I am hoping to raise $10,000 to donate to organizations working to save rhinos."

One of the organizations Taylor hopes to donate to is Ol Pejeta Conservancy, home of Sudan, the last male Northern white rhino in existence. Others include the Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage, which raises and releases young rhinos orphaned when their mothers are killed, and the Black Mamba Anti-Poaching Unit, an all-female group based in South Africa.

Those wishing to donate may do so online at https://www.crowdrise.com/jeremysrhinowish or may send donations to Jeremy at the contact address above. The fundraiser continues through Jeremy's birthday, July 18th.