SOUTH AFRICA (February 2026) — Another group of southern white rhino was successfully translocated to a private game reserve in northern South Africa.

The translocation was implemented as a joint initiative between African Parks, the Wildlife Emergency Fund, and the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, and was the group’s second successful translocation. The previous translocation was a major success for all the parties involved, and the second translocation was made possible thanks to a combined effort of funding by the Busch Gardens Conservation Fund, Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa, Wildlife Emergency Fund and the recipient reserve.

An estimated 2000 southern white rhino live together in a single location and being concentrated in one area poses a significant risk to the species if disease spreads or if a coordinated poaching attack were to occur.

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. Key funders of Rhino Rewild include the Rob Walton Foundation and the Pershing Square Foundation.

Every effort was made to protect the well-being of each animal throughout the operation. The rhino now have the freedom to roam, graze, and carry out their natural behaviours in a secure and thriving ecosystem.

To aid in the long-term success of this translocation, the rhino will be monitored and protected through intensive security measures employing the latest anti-poaching technology. The undisclosed private reserve provides the necessary space for rhinos and other species. It has a successful track record of rewilding key species like the white rhino and is an ideal location for additional wildlife introductions.

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.

Project stakeholders employ 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 – all collaborating to ensure a future where rhinos can thrive.

Donovan Jooste, Project Manager, African Parks’ Rhino Rewild Initiative said “The success of Rhino Rewild is about collaboration and working with partners who share the vision of creating safe wild spaces and managing them effectively, in which wildlife, and in this case, rhino, can thrive. This private reserve fits that profile where we know these rhino will be protected and can contribute to impactful conservation within South Africa that also benefits local communities.”

Dereck Milburn, Director of the Wildlife Emergency Fund said “To see another successful translocation come to fruition is a thrilling next chapter in our ongoing partnership with African Parks. We are committed to seeing southern white rhino populations established across Africa to secure the future of this iconic animal.”

Taryn Gillson, Global Humane Regional Director – Africa said “The safe translocation of these rhinos marks another vital step in restoring wild populations while working to ensure the welfare of these extraordinary animals.  I commend the reserve for their remarkable commitment to expanding protected land to accommodate additional white rhinos. This project represents a bold and inspiring contribution to addressing one of the most pressing conservation challenges of our time: creating space for species to survive and flourish. We are deeply grateful all project partners and to the Busch Gardens Conservation Fund for their generous support, which made this operation possible and continues to help us safeguard the future of Africa’s iconic wildlife.”

Rob Yordi, Executive Director of the SeaWorld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund said ”The Busch Gardens Conservation Fund is proud to support the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa and its partners in this important effort supporting rhino conservation. Being on the ground and seeing firsthand the professionalism of the teams involved, the focus on the welfare of each rhino, and the dedication to the safe translocation of the 20 rhinos to new reserves, reinforces our commitment to important conservation initiatives in South Africa.  A job well done GH-CFA!”

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 Wildlife Emergency Fund

The Wildlife Emergency Fund is a global non-profit organization committed to the preservation and protection of wildlife in Southern Africa. Our network of passionate veterinarians, conservationists, scientists, game capturers, helicopter pilots and volunteers respond to wildlife emergencies and work towards implementing sustainable solutions. For more information visit: www.wefsa.org.za.

About the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa

The Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa (GH-CFA), an initiative under Global Humane Society, is deeply committed to the preservation and protection of Africa’s wildlife and wilderness areas. As the international brand of American Humane Society, the oldest national animal welfare organization in the United States, Global Humane Society’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 Seaworld Busch Gardens Conservation Fund

The SeaWorld & Busch Gardens Conservation Fund was established as a 501 (c)(3) non-profit private foundation in 2003 – created to raise support for grassroots conservation projects that are truly making a difference.  We support a wide range of programs, from reintroducing cheetah to their native ranges in Namibia, to hiring guards to protect elephants from poachers, to saving sea turtle nests along the coasts of Central America from feral animals, to cleaning up North American beaches littered with marine debris. For more information visit: www.swbg-conservationfund.org

Media Contacts:

Helen Hancock

African Parks