In a remarkable union of conservation and craftsmanship, Pete Richardson, co-founder of the world's first baby rhino orphanage, recently acquired The White Rhino Gin Company Ltd and the Urban Rhino Gin brand.  

Pete, 57, was working in The Waterberg area of Limpopo in South Africa when the rhino poaching crisis hit the headlines back in 2012. 

Along with conservationist Arrie van Deventer, Pete was part of the team took action to save the orphaned babies and went on to establish the world’s first purpose-built facility – The Rhino Orphanage. 

Pete remains an active director of the orphanage, despite now residing in the UK. Through this connection, Pete crossed paths with Belinda Chaffer, the driving force behind Waterberg Rhino UK, who introduced him to the owners of The White Rhino Gin Company. 

Enthralled by the shared vision, Pete said: "When I met Belinda and the owners of the company, it felt like destiny. We quickly realized the incredible potential to build a global brand with Urban Rhino gin while supporting the remarkable conservation efforts of both Waterberg Rhino UK and The Rhino Orphanage. I'm thrilled about the possibilities that lie ahead." 

Crafted with meticulous care, Urban Rhino is an exceptional London dry gin that has gained high praise from customers and businesses alike. It won a GOLD MEDAL at the Spirits Business Global Spirits Masters Awards in December 2023 and has been named a Global Top 10 Conservation Spirit Brand. Most recently Urban Rhino Premium London Dry gin has been awarded an amazing 92 out of 100 by the experts at International Drinks Specialists. 

In blind tastings they described the 42% proof award-winning gin as follows: “A nice modern London dry gin with lovely pine, soft juniper, subtle citrus, reminiscent of tangerine, and some herby botanical notes. Clean and elegant on the nose with a nice depth and complexity.” 
And they went on to highly recommend it describing it as a “beautiful…classic” of its kind. 

Urban Rhino Gin embodies the blend of conservation and indulgence, inviting gin lovers to embrace their passion while making a meaningful contribution to rhino preservation. With every sip, supporters of Urban Rhino join the movement to protect these majestic creatures from the threat of extinction. 

With a simple and refined recipe of six botanicals, Urban Rhino Gin offers a unique opportunity for gin enthusiasts to enjoy an exceptional drinking experience while actively contributing to the fight against rhino extinction.