The International Rhino Federation, based in Florida, has raised funds for Zimbabwe and South Africa. The project will teach park employees how to find and keep information on poaching incidents for successful prosecutions. At the moment very few poachers are convicted through lack of evidence.

Although the project is seen as a fairly small one, it is hoped that its impact will be much larger.

Morne du Plessis, chief executive of the South African arm of the World Wildlife Fund: It's work that's absolutely essential. In South Africa, we have a particularly poor record of conviction in rhino crime.

The International Rhino Federation launched its fundraising this week. Donations will fund training in collecting evidence and information. The federation also plans to distribute basic crime scene kits containing cameras, fingerprinting materials and evidence bags.

By Gill Staden