Rewilding Africa: Africa Parks Rhino Conservation Initiative

Date 2025/11/12 18:48:30 by Darren Donovan

I recently had the pleasure of being invited to one of the most important conservation initiatives in the world today. Since 2010, rhinos have faced incredible pressure from poachers and have become the poster child for Africa’s struggle to protect its natural heritage. More than 12,500 rhinos have been poached to satisfy an enormous and irrational demand for rhino horn.

While poaching incidents have tapered off since 2020, the reality is that these populations have taken a massive hit due to this indiscriminate illegal activity. However, at an undisclosed location in South Africa, African Parks is currently running a project to rewild the largest privately owned population of white rhinos in the world. Around 2,000 white rhinos will be released into parks throughout Africa, re-establishing populations of the largest grazer on the continent. Imagine the symbolic power of seeing a rhino once again grazing in the tropical savannahs of Africa, in areas where they have been extinct for decades!

I had the privilege of going behind the scenes and experiencing the day-to-day elements required to accomplish this monumental task. Ensuring that 2,000 rhinos are protected, fed, and watered is no small feat. This population needs to be winter-supplemented with a special rhino-specific feed that is produced on-site, and the rhinos consume 7,000 kg of food per day! This is just a glimpse into the enormity of this conservation project.

Having spent a few days there, I can attest to the grit and determination in the faces and actions of everyone involved in this initiative. Slowly but surely, I believe this operation will make a significant contribution to conservation worldwide. The reality of conservation is that it often needs a powerful symbol of success, and that success can create a ripple effect that protects many other species around the globe. This venture has the potential to do just that as it works to safeguard one species from insatiable greed.

It has been a pleasure to witness the effort and determination of all those involved in this undertaking.

Learn more about this initiative here.