It was in March 2018 when Sudan, the last male northern white rhinoceros, passed away. The creature that had been guarded 24 hours a day via watchtower, drone, and armed guard likely would have otherwise been a victim of poaching like the other members of its species. Instead, Sudan eventually succumbed to old age, and so sealed the fate of the wild northern white rhino, leaving behind his daughter and granddaughter as the last remaining of their kind.

The conservation and repopulation of animals such as these is a key part of David Rio’s mission. By incorporating endangered animals such as tigers and elephants into the labeling of its products, David Rio sees its role as one that reminds customers of our responsibilities to the environment. In addition to simply spreading the word, this company has partnered with the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Peninsula Humane Society & SPCA, and Cat Tales Zoological Park to do its part in ensuring the well-being of the world’s most at-risk creatures is properly funded. But David Rio isn’t stopping with those partnerships…

It’s no secret that the world’s rhino populations are under threat due to poachers, regional conflicts, and loss of habitat. Fortunately, as a result of conservation efforts, the northern white rhino’s nearest relative, the southern white rhino, has successfully recovered its numbers (nearly 20,000) from the brink of endangerment. Still, there are other species of rhino that remain desperately in danger and require intervention before they disappear entirely.

In 2011, one of the four sub-species of black rhino was declared extinct. Today, only 5,000 black rhinos remain, placing them in a category known by the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) as “Critically Endangered.” In an effort to spare the black rhino from the fate of the northern white rhino, a few have decided to join the cause to restore this species’ population.

For a limited time, David Rio will be offering a new product focused on the preservation of this species: Black Rhino Cocoa Chai. This blend offers chai spices, black tea, cocoa, and cayenne pepper for a hint of heat. Together, the flavors form a beverage that meets David Rio’s high quality standards, but its goal extends beyond simply making a premium chai.

David Rio has partnered with Ol Pejeta Conservancy, the prior residence of Sudan, as well as the biggest and most respected Black Rhino conservancy in the world. By adopting Baraka, the conservancy’s blind black rhino, David Rio has proven that it is dedicated to this cause. Much like Thor (the Bengal tiger that David Rio adopted in 1999) before him, Baraka is an ambassador for his species and has been inspiration for David Rio’s newest product. All of this is in an effort to raise awareness about black  rhinos, but it also about providing a way to safeguard this species for years to come.

David Rio has now launched its Feel the Charge campaign that allows anyone to donate directly to Ol Pejeta in support of its black rhino initiative. With a goal of $10,000, David Rio has a long way to go, but it’s not expecting to hit that number solely from outside sources. David Rio is planning to match the first $5,000 in donations. Besides helping an animal population in dire need, by donating you can enter to win a canister of Black Rhino Cocoa Chai. Find out how to enter by visiting David Rio’s website.

Houston’s is proud to also be offering David Rio’s Black Rhino Cocoa Chai while its supplies last. Like all of David Rio’s flavors, it is unique and certain to please the palate, but more importantly it is in support of an excellent cause. We always strive to provide the best products for our customers, but we love it when that mission is accompanied with an even broader reward.