South Africa: 2000 Rhinos to Be Released

Two thousand southern white rhinos that were bred in captivity are set to be released into the wild.

Earlier this year, Platinum Rhino – a private captive rhino farm located in South Africa’s North West province – was purchased by the national conservation group, African Parks, when the farm faced severe financial difficulties.

Now, per a statement released on Monday, 4 September, African Parks plan to “rewild” these rhinos, which currently make up nearly 15% of the world’s remaining wild population who are relentlessly targeted for their horns.

“African Parks has one clear objective: to rewild these rhinos over the next 10 years to well-managed and secure areas, establishing or supplementing strategic populations, thereby de-risking the future of the species,” the statement reads.

“The breeding programme will be phased out and the project will end once all the rhino are released into the wild. This is one of the largest continent-wide rewilding endeavours to occur for any species.”

Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks, admitted the task at hand will be “daunting”, but it must be done to ensure the species’ survival.

“It is equally one of the most exciting and globally strategic conservation opportunities,” Fearnhead said. “We will be working with multiple governments, funding partners and conservation organisations, who are committed to making this rewilding vision a reality.”