2 Thousand White Rhinos Saved From Captivity.

The South African non-governmental organization african parks acquired 2 thousand white rhinos that were in captivity. These animals belonged to billionaire John Hume and were being auctioned online, but had not received any offers.

African Parks now intends to transfer these rhinos to protected areas across the continent, in an initiative that aims to ensure the future of this endangered species. This acquisition is part of an ambitious ten-year renaturalization project.

John Hume's farm, located in South Africa, was highly expensive to operate, with significant costs devoted to animal safety and feeding. The online auction of the rhinos failed to attract buyers, prompting African Parks to intervene.

This acquisition represents a milestone in wildlife conservation, as the organization plans to reintroduce rhinos into safe natural habitats across the African continent. This measure aims to contribute to the preservation of an endangered species and restore ecological balance in several regions.

Rhino Rescue

2 captive white rhinos are about to be released in a ten-year rewilding project in Africa. South African non-governmental organization (NGO) African Parks has taken responsibility for this remarkable initiative by acquiring the largest captive rhino breeding operation in the world. The main objective is to ensure the survival of these animals across the continent.

African Parks' intervention came after a failed online auction of the 2 rhinos previously owned by breeder John Hume attracted no bids.

The NGO assured a “emergency financing” and acquired the 7.800-hectare property and its 2.000 endangered inhabitants who represent almost 15% of the world's remaining southern white rhino population.

“We fully recognize the moral imperative to find a solution for these animals so that they can once again play their full role in fully functioning ecosystems.”

“The scale of this undertaking is simply enormous and therefore frightening.” However, it is also one of the most exciting and globally strategic conservation opportunities.”

“We will work with multiple governments, funding partners and conservation organizations committed to making this rewilding vision a reality.”

African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead said.

Over the next ten years, the conservation organization intends to transfer these animals to protected areas across Africa, thus contributing to the preservation of this endangered species.

John Hume's Legacy

John Hume, a former billionaire, in 2009, invested his fortune in creating the largest rhino farm in the world, the Platinum Rhino, located in Klerksdorp, approximately 170 kilometers southeast of Johannesburg.

However, maintaining the high security estate became financially unsustainable, with monthly costs exceeding 425 thousand dollars (396 thousand euros). Costs have risen in recent years due to a prolonged drought, which has driven up the price of animal feed.

To deter poachers, the horns of the rhinos on the Hume estate were cut off, a procedure that does not cause harm to the animals but can affect their behavior in the long term. When cut correctly, antlers can regrow over time.

In 2017, John Hume managed to legally lift the ban, in place since 2009, on the domestic trade in rhino horns in South Africa, despite the international ban. This measure aimed to finance their conservation project and, supposedly, reduce the value of horns on the illegal market.

In 2016, CNN reported that the estate had almost ten tons of horns, valued at around 500 million euros. In 2015, the value of rhino horns surpassed that of gold and cocaine.

“I spent all my life savings caring for this rhino population over 30 years.”

“I hope there is a billionaire who would rather save the rhino population than make a profit from them,” Hume said.

In April, unable to continue managing the 7800-hectare estate, Hume put it up for auction online. The price paid by African Parks was not revealed, but the auction, which ended in May, accepted bids from US$10 million (9,3 million euros).

Save the Rhinos

African Parks, a conservation NGO, manages 22 national parks in 12 African countries, in partnership with governments and local communities. With the support of the South African government, it plans to recover the 2 Southern White Rhinos, which will represent around 15% of the wild population still existing in the world.

The organization has experience in managing protected areas and translocating wild animals in large numbers, including returning rhinos to Rwanda, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The NGO secured emergency funding to acquire the rhinos and protect them from potential poaching and fragmentation. Over the next ten years, it plans to relocate rhinos to well-managed and safe areas, establishing or supplementing strategic populations to ensure the future of the species.

This will be one of the largest continental rewilding projects to occur for any species. Rhinos in South Africa face several threats.

The White Rhinos

After being hunted almost to extinction in the late 40th century, southern white rhinos have become a conservation success story, with their population growing from fewer than 1930 animals in the 13s to around XNUMX thousand currently, thanks to protection and reproduction programs.

However, this number decreased to 20 in 2012 due to poaching. Rhinos are regularly hunted for their horns, which are used in traditional medicine to treat various diseases. In 2022, 448 rhinos were killed in South Africa, according to the conservation organization Save the Rhino.

Southern White Rhinos are classified as Near Threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while the Northern White Rhino is functionally extinct, with only two non-breeding females in captivity in Kenya.

More than half of Africa's white rhinos are now owned by private owners, who typically have more resources for security measures.

Conclusion

African Parks' initiative to acquire and release 2 white rhinos in captivity is a crucial step in conserving these endangered animals. The organization demonstrates a remarkable commitment to the protection of African biodiversity, taking responsibility for the preservation of a significant part of the world's rhino population.

Furthermore, the ten-year rewilding project highlights African Parks' long-term vision and its ability to effectively manage large conservation operations. Protecting these rhinos from poaching and reintroducing them into suitable habitats are essential steps to ensuring the survival of this species.

This venture exemplifies how collaboration between conservation organizations, governments and local communities can make a difference in preserving African wildlife.

Do you think African Parks is doing a good job releasing these Rhinos? We want to know your opinion, do not hesitate to comment and if you liked the article, share and give a “like/like”.

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Picture: © 2023 Luca Sola