JOHANNESBURG: African Parks, a non-governmental organization (NGO), has recently announced its acquisition of the world’s largest rhino farm, located in South Africa and home to an astounding 2,000 rhinoceroses.
This move is driven by the pressing need to protect these majestic creatures, particularly in South Africa, which remains a hotspot for poaching due to the demand for rhino horns in traditional Asian medicine.
Despite increased protection efforts within national parks like Kruger, South Africa tragically lost 448 rhinos last year, a number only slightly lower than the 2021 figure.
African Parks has assumed responsibility for this crucial rhino breeding operation, encompassing 7,800 hectares in the North West province. This farm currently shelters 15 percent of the world’s remaining wild southern white rhino population.
Previously owned by 81-year-old South African conservationist John Hume, who had been seeking a billionaire successor, the farm faced significant poaching risks with no takers. Hume had invested approximately $150 million in his philanthropic mission to protect the world’s second-largest land mammal, with security and surveillance being the farm’s major expenses.
African Parks, a guardian of 22 protected African areas, has outlined a comprehensive plan to reintroduce 2,000 southern white rhinos into the wild over the next decade. Once on the brink of extinction in the late 19th century, this species has gradually recovered thanks to sustained protection and breeding efforts.
This landmark acquisition represents a significant milestone in rhino conservation, underscoring the urgency of shielding these magnificent creatures from the persistent threat of poaching in South Africa. —APP
