The rhinos, part of 2,000 rhinos owned by controversial breeder John Hume, have now been moved to a sanctuary in KwaZulu-Natal.
aAfrica Parks has taken the first step toward relocating captive-bred southern white rhinos after becoming the owner of the world's largest captive rhino breeding operation, which was facing financial collapse.
The non-profit conservation organization on Thursday released 40 of the 2,000 rhinos previously owned by controversial breeder John Hume in KwaZulu-Natal province to support successful conservation and community efforts. It was announced that the animal had been donated to the Muniwana Sanctuary. The company acquired Hume's Platinum Rhino in September last year.
The move follows Rhino Rewilding, a “daring” 10-year plan to rescue 2,000 rhinos that once roamed the Hume Ranch in the northwest and rewild them in a safe protected area in Africa. This marks the first transfer under the
Mnywana Reserve is a 29,866 hectare reserve maintained by a partnership of communities and private landowners including Makasa Community Trust, Mnkobokazi Community Trust, &Beyond Finda and Zuka Private Hunting Reserve.
African Parks said the relocation took place earlier this month. “The rhino was thrown into Rhino Rewild and fitted with a monitoring device. Once tagged, the animal recovered enough to be walked into a crate and transported by car to Muniwana. I did.
“We are very pleased to receive these 40 rhinos from African Parks to supplement our community conservation group's current white rhino population,” Makasa Trust chairman Thokozani Mlambo said in a statement. ” he said.
“We see this as a recognition of the important role that community-owned land plays in conservation, and we are thrilled to be working together in such an important partnership to rewild rhinos across the continent. We are proud of Makasa Trust. three It is the main shareholder of Muniwana Reserve. ”
African Parks says the reserve provides a safe environment to support the rewilding of southern white rhinos. The primary objective is to rewild all rhinos in well-managed and safe protected areas, establish or replenish strategic populations, and ultimately contribute to “de-risking” the future of the species. is.
Muniwana Sanctuary provides a safe environment to support the rewilding of southern white rhinos. This will increase the current globally important rhino population, strengthen its genetic diversity, facilitate future rhino movements elsewhere, and support important tourism. It is said to be a driving force for the local economy.
The government is “very supportive” of Africa Parks' plan to buy and rewild rhinos, and says it will provide the technical and scientific support needed “to implement this conservation solution in South Africa and the African continent.” We continue to be an important partner providing advice and support. said Barbara Creasy, Minister for Forests, Fisheries and the Environment.
African Parks said that for the translocation to be successful, it will closely monitor the animals' physical condition and parasite adaptation as they adapt to their new environment. The conservation group will take intensive safety measures to ensure the safety of the 40 rhinos whose horns were cut.
The rhinos are dehorned and equipped with monitoring devices. “Each animal will be fitted with an artificial intelligence tracking device, allowing reserve managers to monitor it 24 hours a day. The reserve will also have several specialized mobile rhino monitoring teams. .”
Both African parks and reserves have the same ethos and conservation guidelines, and “in that spirit, Muniwana is pleased to accept this donation so that these rhinos can begin the process of becoming fully wild and roaming free.” ,” said Dale Weppener. Warden and conservation manager of Muniwana Reserve.
At the heart of the solution, and the ultimate success of all rhino rewilding, lies in the existence of safe, well-protected and effectively managed areas across the continent, of which Muniwana Reserve is an excellent example. '' said Peter Fernhead. Chief executive of African Park.
“Rhino Rewild is one of our most ambitious efforts to date, working with numerous governments, conservation groups, community organizations and major funders to reduce species risks and save species in the process. “We have a unique opportunity to help ensure the safety of some of the most important protected areas, not just in Africa, but in the world,” he said.
This first relocation was carried out by African Parks, &Beyond Phinda, Conservation Solutions and WeWild Africa, with funding from the Aspinall Foundation and the Wildlife Emergency Fund.
