A FUNDRAISING coffee morning has been held to generate funds for the protection of rhinos.

Councillors Rob and Claire Curtis held the event at their home to raise money and awareness of the illegal poaching of rhinos, an animal that is heading towards extinction due to being hunted for their horns.

The "coffee, cake and conservation" morning, with the help of a raffle and quiz, raised £350 which will be donated to the WWF's Rhino Campaign.

Councillor Rob Curtis, who is also the Vale of Glamorgan’s Biodiversity Champion, said: "I am proud of the fact that so many Barry people care about such an iconic species which is facing certain extinction if action is not taken soon to protect their numbers.

"In 2014, some of us are lucky enough to be able to travel to Africa and Asia to see them in the wild. In 2024, when our children have grown up, will they still be able to see wild rhinos?

"Rhinos have been an important part of a wide range of ecosystems for millions of years; we must not let them join the ever increasing extinction list.

"It is important to remember that Rhinos are an umbrella species.

"When protecting and managing a rhino population, rangers and scientists take in account all the other species interacting with rhinos and those sharing the same habitat. When rhinos are protected, many other species are too; not only mammals but also birds, reptiles, fish and insects as well as plants.

"With more money, we can support more programmes, and not just save rhino populations, but increase biodiversity and develop threatened populations.

The Northern white rhino subspecies may just have become extinct, but it is not too late to save the rest.”