The huge estate should eventually accommodate 2,000 white rhinos, an endangered species.
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After months of difficulties, the largest rhinoceros farm in the world, set up in South Africa by a millionaire to try to save this species from poaching, was finally bought by the NGO African Parks, who made it known Monday, September 4.
This organization, to which Prince Harry of Sussex is linked, manages around twenty protected parks on the continent and now owns 7,800 hectares of land located less than 200 km south-west of Johannesburg. 2,000 white rhinos will be gradually transferred there, which represents about 15% of the world population of the species.
A redemption for a confidential amount
This breeding was opened in 2009 by the wealthy businessman John Hume, 81 years old. But bent under the exorbitant costs of his vast project, he put his property up for auction in April, saying he was looking for another “millionaire” to take over. “Rhino farming is an expensive hobby”had admitted the breeder during an interview with AFP before the sale, adding that he had fallen “short of money”. More than a hundred million dollars had already been swallowed up by the operation.
The CEO of the African Parks organization, Peter Fearnhead, quoted in the press release, explains that he obeyed a “moral obligation to find a solution for these wild animals in decline”. Although he had originally “never intended to own a captive rhino breeding business and 2,000 rhinos”. The NGO, which did not specify the amount disbursed, received support from the South African government and conservation organizations, as well as financial assistance for the buyout.