DOLLAR BOON: R10m windfall for African conservation after Australian ‘rhino rescue’ plan folds up
The Australian Rhino Project was set up at the height of the South African rhino poaching crisis 13 years ago. The aim was to move hundreds of rhinos to Australia to serve as an ‘insurance policy’ against the possible extinction of Africa’s rhino. Now it’s been called off.
The Australian Rhino Project (TARP) was established in response to a devastating rhino poaching crisis in South Africa that saw over 1,000 rhinos killed annually in 2013 and 2014. TARP aimed to move hundreds of rhinos to Australia to protect them as an insurance policy, raising nearly R10 million to breed and multiply a founder population of at least 200 African rhinos. However, due to South Africa's proposed restrictions on rhino exports and ongoing policy uncertainty, TARP has been called off.
The project has redirected its funds to seven rhino protection projects in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. These organisations will receive a combined A$840,000 (R9.6 million) to support anti-poaching efforts, monitor technology, orphan care, translocation, and community-led conservation. The seven successful projects chosen are: Endangered Rhino Conservation in South Africa, Food for Rhinos NPC, KZN Rhino Project, Legend Rhino Orphanage NPC, Rooiberg Veterinary Services, Global Wildlife Fund in Zimbabwe, and Save the Rhino Trust Namibia.
Each project was selected after a Request for Proposal process, demonstrating their commitment to rhino conservation on the ground.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
