African Parks, a leading conservation organization partnering with 12 African governments to manage 22 protected areas, has taken over "Platinum Rhino," the world's largest private captive rhino breeding facility in South Africa. This sanctuary houses 2,000 southern white rhinos, a substantial portion of the global population under threat from poaching and habitat fragmentation.
The backdrop to this acquisition was financial strain leading to the facility's auction on April 26th, 2023, which drew no buyers, putting the rhinos at risk. Given African Parks' expertise in wildlife management and large-scale translocations, they stepped in to address the crisis.
With support from the South African Government and secured funding, African Parks has purchased the property with a clear mission: rewild these rhinos over the next decade. Their goal is to relocate them to secure environments, eventually phasing out the breeding program when all rhinos are thriving in the wild.
This monumental effort represents one of Africa's most significant rewilding initiatives, showcasing African Parks' commitment to global conservation.
The southern white rhino faces immense poaching pressure, particularly in South Africa. Historically, two subspecies existed: the northern white (virtually extinct) and the southern white (recovered but now declining). Dr. Mike Knight, Chairman of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group, lauds this initiative as a lifeline for the Near Threatened species and African conservation.
With the southern white rhino population under severe threat, this initiative offers hope for the survival of a species decimated by poaching. By taking responsibility for these 2,000 rhinos and their rewilding, African Parks not only safeguards a critical part of Earth's biodiversity but also showcases the power of collaborative efforts in the face of conservation challenges.
Source: Press release. African Parks. "2,000 Southern White Rhino to be Released into the Wild Over Next 10 Years". https://www.africanparks.org/2000-southern-white-rhino-be-released-wild-over-next-10-years. 04/09/23. [Date accessed: 07/09/23]
Edited by: Aditya Vinjimoor
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