3.5K Views 3 years ago

2,000 Rhinos Put Up for Auction, Nonprofit Steps In

A significant conservation breakthrough has occurred as a nonprofit organization steps up to protect and rewild 2,000 white rhinos from the world’s largest rhino farm. Entrepreneur John Hume, who once sought to sell rhino horns to fund Conservation efforts, had put his 21,000-acre Platinum Rhino Conservation Project up for auction with no takers. However, African Parks, a renowned Conservation nonprofit, has now acquired the farm and its thousands of animals, heralding a positive outcome for these majestic creatures.

The story began with Hume’s ambitious vision to protect rhinos from poachers and boost their population through breeding, to finance these efforts through legal rhino horn sales. However, international horn sales remained prohibited, hampering his Conservation ambitions.

In April, Hume put his farm and its inhabitants up for auction, hoping that deep-pocketed investors would buy the animals to eventually rewild them. The result was surprising: no bids were made for the Platinum Rhino Conservation Project. This turned out to be a fortuitous twist of fate for the rhinos and other animals on the farm. In a private deal between Platinum and African Parks, the nonprofit acquired the farm, including its extensive rhino population, as well as various other species like giraffes, hippos, sheep, and more. This unexpected turn of events marks one of the most positive outcomes that could have arisen from the situation, according to Taylor Tench, a senior policy analyst specializing in rhinos at the Environmental Investigation Agency.

The acquisition of the rhino farm by African Parks is undoubtedly a triumph for Conservation, but it comes with formidable challenges. Rewilding 2,000 rhinos and ensuring their safety in the wild is a daunting task. African Parks, known for managing 22 national parks and protected areas across 12 African countries, is committing to keeping all Platinum’s staff employed to care for the animals until they can be relocated to the wild.

African Parks also plans to maintain the farm’s current security measures to prevent poaching. These include helicopter patrols, armed game rangers with guard dogs, and other state-of-the-art security systems. Despite the high costs of protecting the animals, the farm has had no known poaching incidents since March 2017, showcasing the effectiveness of these security measures.

The precise destinations for these rhinos in the wild are yet to be determined. African Parks intends to conduct feasibility studies to select areas with adequate food and water sources. Lands under African Parks’ management, as well as other suitable locations in Africa, will be considered for relocation. Donovan Jooste, overseeing the project for African Parks, emphasizes that the safety of the recipient areas will be thoroughly assessed before any release as part of the rewilding program.

Furthermore, African Parks plans to establish an advisory group to guide these decisions, ensuring the most favorable outcomes for the rhinos. While there are still many questions to answer and challenges to overcome, Tench believes this vision is a very positive step towards securing the future of these rhinos.

This landmark deal between John Hume’s Platinum Rhino Conservation Project and African Parks represents a beacon of hope for rhino Conservation efforts. With a sizable portion of the world’s wild white rhino population now in their care, African Parks has undertaken a courageous and commendable initiative. The organization’s track record of effective management in protected areas bodes well for the future of these rhinos.

Conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts worldwide will be watching closely as African Parks embark on this monumental rewilding journey. As the rhinos prepare for their transition from captivity to the wild, the world hopes for their continued safety and eventual resurgence in the wild, away from the threats of poaching that have plagued their populations for far too long.

Sign this petition to save the rhinos!