Idols star has a heart for animals

"Although we need to target the actual poachers, we also need to combat the cause, which in many instances arises from the mere need for poorer communities to put food on the table," said Hartman, who will be undertaking intensive training to gain a more holistic view on the global problem. "Through my personal projects - Jason's Garden and Men of Trees - my goal is to reduce the desire to poach at community level by uplifting them and teaching them how to sustain themselves though methods such as basic subsistence farming."

Poaching costs the world billions

The threat of poaching is increasing daily, and to date it is the second largest criminal activity in the world at a cost of US$13 billion annually, followed by human trafficking and just behind drug trafficking. Aside from rhino and elephant poaching, one of the biggest threats to our planet is the poaching of wood, which has a direct impact on global warming through deforestation.

"We were only too happy to work with Jason as his mind-set of tackling poaching at community-level has added a fresh approach to reducing this problem," said Damien Mander, director of the International Anti-Poaching Foundation. "Our team will be able to learn from his ability to engage with people through his music and extensive experience of working within poorer communities."