World's Largest Rhino Farm Bought By NGO

[NamStay]

South Africa - World's Largest Rhino Farm Bought By NGO

Conservation activists hope to return 2,000 white rhinos to the wild in the coming decade after purchasing the "Platinum Rhino" breeding operation.

allafrica.com

Conservation activists hope to return 2,000 white rhinos to the wild in the coming decade after purchasing the "Platinum Rhino" breeding operation.

The world's largest captive rhino breeding farm, situated in South Africa, has been purchased by a conservation NGO.

African Parks said in a statement on Monday that it would take over the 7,800 hectare (19,274 acres) "Platinum Rhino" farm. They said their goal was to rescue the critically endangered species and release the animals into the wild by transporting them to safe and well-managed protected areas across Africa.

Why was the farm sold?

The Platinum Rhino site which was being run by 81-year-old South African conservationist John Hume, was put up for auction due to financial stress in April of this year. The offer did not receive much interest.

 

[Gemsbok45]

Until your allowed to breed Rhinos for their horns,available to the free market,this will be an uphill battle!

 

[wesheltonj]

Until your allowed to breed Rhinos for their horns,available to the free market,this will be an uphill battle!

100% Correct.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

Ngo involved with nature conservation departments in africa
If ever there was a recipe for corruption and disaster here it is!!!!

 

[375Fox]

Ngo involved with nature conservation departments in africa
If ever there was a recipe for corruption and disaster here it is!!!!

What does this comment have to do with article? I couldn’t imagine a private buyer being interested in a rhino farm unless the horn trade was legal for an international market. African Parks buying it is the best of a bad situation from what I can see?

 

[mark-hunter]

Half of the rhinos released in the wild will be poached, i am afraid

 

[PeteG]

AP has a good reputation and work well with hunting communities as well as non hunting communities. Not sure this is a recipe for corruption and disaster.

Ngo involved with nature conservation departments in africa
If ever there was a recipe for corruption and disaster here it is!!!!

 

[BRICKBURN]

Wish them well finding secure properties to release these critters to.

 

[Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS]

My comments are about a conservation NGO as article said are going to work with”african parks” which is nature conservation

Unfortunately rhino horn has a very high illegal value
Theparks employees will give out info ,as to where and when these rhino will be released, to the wrong people and they will get poached

This is my opinion, why, because this happens now in SA
Almost all rhino poached in kruger there is a t least one park ranger involved

I do hope things go well and the rhino get relocated somewhere and breed well and live long lives

 

[Philip Glass]

What does this comment have to do with article? I couldn’t imagine a private buyer being interested in a rhino farm unless the horn trade was legal for an international market. African Parks buying it is the best of a bad situation from what I can see?

No, I don't think so. We must have these animals in decent numbers in private hands. They are going to release them and they will be poached out. South Africa loses 500 a year to poaching. It is not sustainable. What @Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS is eluding to is the idea that the corrupt government officials will be taking horns and selling on the black market and eventually killing many of them.
It is a complicated issue and that is why it was prominently featured in Trophy The Film.

 

[Philip Glass]

AP has a good reputation and work well with hunting communities as well as non hunting communities. Not sure this is a recipe for corruption and disaster.

Look at the numbers.

 

[Aaron N]

Half of the rhinos released in the wild will be poached, i am afraid

I would like to see all these released rhinos collared to see the poaching rate.

 

[mark-hunter]

Some of them will be relocated to countries who have failed to protect their own rhinos in the past.

 

[bowjijohn]

I hope some reserve owners take on the challenge

Most of my friends have said they won’t touch them with a barge pole !

The cost of anti poaching would go through the roof as the moment it is known that they are on you’re patch you’ll be targeted

Perhaps Greg Carr and his like can step up

 

[PHOENIX PHIL]

The cost of anti poaching would go through the roof as the moment it is known that they are on you’re patch you’ll be targeted

And targeted by people who may turn their AK's on you if you or your employees if you stumble into them at the wrong time.

 

[375Fox]

My comments are about a conservation NGO as article said are going to work with”african parks” which is nature conservation

Unfortunately rhino horn has a very high illegal value
Theparks employees will give out info ,as to where and when these rhino will be released, to the wrong people and they will get poached

This is my opinion, why, because this happens now in SA
Almost all rhino poached in kruger there is a t least one park ranger involved

I do hope things go well and the rhino get relocated somewhere and breed well and live long lives

“African Parks” is the NGO. It’s a private organization.

African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on direct responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas in partnership with governments and local communities.

www.africanparks.org

 

[375Fox]

No, I don't think so. We must have these animals in decent numbers in private hands. They are going to release them and they will be poached out. South Africa loses 500 a year to poaching. It is not sustainable. What @Tally-Ho HUNTING SAFARIS is eluding to is the idea that the corrupt government officials will be taking horns and selling on the black market and eventually killing many of them.
It is a complicated issue and that is why it was prominently featured in Trophy The Film.

They are being lost on private land too. Until a change is made they are unfortunately just a liability to private landowners. African Parks is the NGO. They have a link on their website about these rhinos. It says the farm received no bids. So again, I think best of a bad situation if the trade is rhino horn is not legal.

Rewilding 2000 Rhino

African Parks has taken on the task of rewilding over 2,000 captive bred rhino over the next ten years, making an invaluable contribution to the survival of the southern white rhino species.

www.africanparks.org

 

[spike.t]

Look at the numbers.

Not sure what this comment means in relation to petes post .....and he knows quite a bit about how Africa parks operates...so..... ...and also don't understand the negativity....hume put his rhino operation up for sale...no takers....so Africa parks I would say luckily came along.....the alternative I don't think would have been good.....

 

[Sue Tidwell]

Ngo involved with nature conservation departments in africa
If ever there was a recipe for corruption and disaster here it is!!!!

This is exactly what I worry about too. I just pray they do well by them.

 

[Philip Glass]

Not sure what this comment means in relation to petes post .....and he knows quite a bit about how Africa parks operates...so..... ...and also don't understand the negativity....hume put his rhino operation up for sale...no takers....so Africa parks I would say luckily came along.....the alternative I don't think would have been good.....

My point is long term more will be poached on government land than private land. You are living in a fantasy world if you don't believe that. Look at what John Hume has accomplished.
We all hope for the best for the future of rhinos.