The white rhino is under extreme pressure, especially in South Africa, due to poaching.
African Parks, a conservation NGO that manages 22 protected areas in partnership with 12 governments throughout Africa, announced that it will rewild over 2,000 southern white rhinos over the next 10 years.
The NGO has stepped in as the new owner of the world’s largest private captive rhino breeding operation, “Platinum Rhino,” a 7,800- hectare property in the North West province of South Africa, which currently holds 2,000 southern white rhino, representing up to 15% of the world’s remaining wild rhino population.
After conducting a thorough due diligence and with the support of the South African Government, as well as having secured emergency funding to make the transaction possible, African Parks agreed to purchase the farm and all 2,000 rhino.
For over 20 years, African Parks has worked with governments and local communities to ensure that protected areas, and their vital ecosystem services, are secured for the future.
Source: World Animal News
