Conservation NGO African Parks has purchased 2,000 white rhinos for a rewilding project.
The Johannesburg, South Africa, organization made the announcement Monday and offered details.
Southern white rhinos have experienced a 50% reduction in the last 10 years. Read more about our recent news of how and why we will be rewilding 2,000 southern white rhino across the next decade: https://t.co/E1UTAGWsWs pic.twitter.com/LxhTocJ81B
— African Parks (@AfricanParks) September 6, 2023
“Platinum Rhino” was the world’s largest rhino breeding operation until it experienced financial issues.
The organization put its 7,800-hectare property up for auction along with the 2,000 southern white rhinoceri bred on the area in April.
These animals make up about 15% of the earth’s remaining wild population, and so in order to prevent poachers or harmful individuals from bidding for the land, African Parks utilized funds to take ownership.
African Parks has already successfully executed rhino rewilding projects in Rwanda, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The organization plans to rewild these newly acquired rhinos over the course of the next 10 years.
Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, said, “African Parks had no intention of being the owner of a captive rhino breeding operation with 2,000 rhino.”
“However, we fully recognize the moral imperative of finding a solution for these animals so that they can once again play their integral role in fully functioning ecosystems,” he said.
He also noted, “The scale of this undertaking is simply enormous, and therefore daunting. However, it is equally one of the most exciting and globally strategic conservation opportunities.”
“We will be working with multiple governments, funding partners and conservation organizations, who are committed to making this rewilding vision a reality,” he concluded.
Dr. Mike Knight, chairman of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, said, “The conservation sector is delighted that African Parks can provide a credible solution for this important population, and a significant lifeline for this near threatened species.”
“This acquisition provides the unique opportunity to rewild these 2,000 white rhino for the benefit of people and rhino conservation in Africa,” he added.
