This is the third rhino translocation carried out this year by African Parks as part of its 10-year plan to rewild 2,000 southern white rhino into secure protected areas across Africa.

Johannesburg, South Africa (5 November 2024) — The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, an initiative of Global Humane Society, has supported a successful translocation of a group of southern white rhino to Dinokeng Game Reserve in South Africa.

This relocation forms part of African Parks’ Rhino Rewild initiative, an ambitious plan to rewild 2,000 southern white rhino into secure protected areas across Africa over the next 10 years. The translocation was implemented as a joint initiative between the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, African Parks, Dinokeng Game Reserve, and WeWild Africa. To aid in the long-term success of this translocation, the rhino will be monitored and protected in accordance with Dinokeng’s intensive security measures. With 19,000 hectares of space for species and a successful track record of rewilding key species like the white rhino, Dinokeng is an ideal location for additional wildlife introductions.

“We are delighted to support Dinokeng Game Reserve and play a role in this historic rewilding initiative,” said Taryn Gillson, Global Humane Regional Director – Africa. “African Parks’ Rhino Rewild initiative is closely aligned with our stated goal of conserving, rewilding, and safeguarding Africa’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. This relocation will aid in enhancing genetic diversity in Dinokeng and we look forward to seeing these rhino thrive in their new habitat.”

The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa is spearheading a range of rhino conservation initiatives, from expanding rhino rangelands to forging partnerships with local communities and leveraging cutting-edge technology to help protect rhino from poaching.

White rhino are under extreme pressure due to poaching and habitat loss and require well-protected natural landscapes to thrive. In the 1930s, southern white rhinos were on the brink of extinction, with only 30 to 40 individuals remaining. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, their population rebounded to approximately 21,000 by 2012. However, the surge in poaching over the past decade has reduced their numbers to around 17,500. White rhinos play a crucial role in maintaining healthy ecosystems. As mega-herbivores, they shape savannah landscapes, which store approximately 30% of the world’s terrestrial carbon.

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About the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa

The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa (GH-CFA), an initiative under Global Humane, is deeply committed to the preservation and protection of Africa’s wildlife and wilderness areas. As the international brand of American Humane, the oldest national animal welfare organization in the United States, Global Humane’s mission resonates with a legacy of nearly 150 years of pioneering efforts. Based in South Africa, GH-CFA focuses on conserving, rewilding, and safeguarding Africa’s diverse ecosystems and wildlife. Through our strategic initiatives – Space for Species, Wildlife & Biodiversity, and Conservation for Communities – we strive to create safe habitats, enhance genetic diversity, and promote the interconnectedness of all species. For more information, please visit www.GlobalHumane.africa, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and subscribe to our channel on YouTube for the latest breaking news and features about the animals with whom we share our Earth.

About Dinokeng Game Reserve

The Dinokeng Game Reserve is a premier South African wildlife reserve and the only Big Five reserve in a metropolitan area worldwide. We offer local and international travellers once-in-a-lifetime experiences and memorable moments for reconnecting with nature and loved ones, whilst showcasing the Dinokeng community to the world. For more information visit Dinokeng Game Reserve – Gauteng’s Only Big 5 Game Reserve (dinokengreserve.co.za)

About African Parks

African Parks is a non-profit conservation organisation that takes on the responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of protected areas, in partnership with governments and local communities. African Parks manages 22 protected areas in 12 countries covering over 20 million hectares in Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, South Sudan, Zambia and Zimbabwe. For more information visit www.africanparks.org, Twitter, Instagram and Facebook

About Rhino Rewild

Rhino Rewild, an African Parks initiative, is a 10-year plan to rewild 2,000 southern white rhino and renew the habitats they require. In September 2023, African Parks purchased the world’s largest rhino captive breeding operation in South Africa, in a bid to rescue the rhino, which amount to approximately 12% of the world’s population, and to rewild them to safe and well-managed protected areas across Africa as part of a strategic, continent-wide conservation strategy. For more information visit www.rhinorewild.org

About WeWild Africa

WeWild Africa was founded in 2019 by veteran conservation experts with 100+ years collective experience in wildlife conservation in Africa. We have worked in some of the most challenging places and situations in the world, with a never-give-up mindset. Through partnerships with key stakeholders and committed organisations and reserves, WeWild Africa is able to make decisions quickly and provide seemingly impossible solutions. Since 2019, the organisation has directly impacted over 900 animals through rescue or rewilding. For more information visit: www.wewildafrica.com.