Klerksdorp, South Africa — As the first light of dawn broke through the frosty morning, I found myself questioning the suitability of this landscape for white rhinos. Yet, nestled here in South Africa’s highveld, just an hour’s drive from Johannesburg, is the world’s largest privately-owned herd of white rhinos. With 2,000 individuals, this herd represents a staggering 12% of the global wild population.
The morning air was filled with tension as I joined a team of dedicated conservationists. We were tasked with guiding a blindfolded, 2.2-ton rhino across a rugged paddock. Straining under the weight of the thick rope, I could feel every muscle in my body protest. But the urgency of our mission kept me focused—this was no ordinary day.
Earlier, from the back of a pickup truck, we watched as a veterinarian, from a hovering helicopter, darted the massive animal with a potent tranquilizer. A skilled rider on horseback then guided the rhino to a clear area where the drug began to take effect. The sight of the rhino, his mighty trot turning into slow, exaggerated steps, before finally collapsing, was both awe-inspiring and heartbreaking. The call came—“Go, go, go!”—and we sprang into action.
The team quickly got to work, administering a partial antidote, checking vitals, and protecting the rhino’s eyes with lubricant before blindfolding him. Data was meticulously recorded, and within moments, the rhino’s horns were removed using a chainsaw—an operation carried out under the watchful eyes of an armed guard. These horns, valued by poachers, were destined for secure offsite storage.
The Tragic Decline of Rhino Populations
To truly appreciate the gravity of this operation, one must understand the devastating history of rhino populations. The decline began in the 19th century when European hunters, equipped with increasingly deadly firearms, decimated the southern white rhino across Southern Africa. By the early 1900s, fewer than 100 remained.
Efforts to save the species began in 1895 with the establishment of Umfolozi Junction Reserve (now Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park), which played a crucial role in rescuing the white rhino from the brink of extinction. By the 1950s, the population had rebounded to over 400, and by 2010, it had reached an estimated 20,000. However, the resurgence of poaching in 2012, driven by the demand for rhino horn in Asia, once again threatened these majestic creatures. Today, the white rhino population hovers around 16,803, with poaching continuing to outpace births.
The Role of Private Rhino Owners
Private landowners, who now protect more than 50% of Africa’s rhinos, play a critical role in conservation. However, the escalating costs of safeguarding these animals against sophisticated poaching networks make this increasingly unsustainable. It was this precarious situation that led John Hume, a wealthy property developer, to establish the world’s largest rhino-breeding operation on his highveld farm.
Hume’s vision was to legally harvest and sell rhino horns, hoping to undermine the illegal trade. But his plan was foiled by the complex realities of wildlife trafficking and the refusal of CITES (the global wildlife trade convention) to permit international rhino horn sales. Despite his efforts, financial pressures forced Hume to sell his farm and herd to African Parks, a nonprofit organization dedicated to managing protected areas across Africa.
African Parks’ Ambitious Rewilding Project
African Parks has now taken on the monumental task of rewilding these 2,000 rhinos. Some will be relocated to reserves managed by African Parks, while others will find new homes in well-managed reserves, such as those in the Greater Kruger region.
As the first rhino of the day underwent the final preparations for his journey, the team notched his ears for easy identification and attached tracking devices. These efforts ensure that every rhino’s movement can be closely monitored. The rhino, still groggy from the tranquilizers, was gently coaxed to his feet and led to one of 32 transport crates, where he would be administered the final round of drugs: an antidote to the immobilizing agent and a long-acting tranquilizer for the journey ahead.
Overseeing the operation from atop one of the transport crates, I marveled at the scale and precision of the endeavor. Helicopters hovered above rhinos and their calves, while trucks, loaded with crew and supplies, darted across the savanna. Rhinos, groggy and unsteady, were guided toward their crates by expert handlers on horseback. This was conservation on a grand scale—a highly coordinated effort led by skilled professionals working under immense pressure.
Despite the meticulous planning, challenges inevitably arose. At one point, a rhino managed to shake off her blindfold and bolted, dragging four handlers in her wake. Yet within minutes, the team had regained control, and the rhino was safely secured.
At the heart of this operation lies an extensive database of every rhino on the farm. Decisions about which animals to translocate were made based on detailed information about each rhino’s age and condition. Mothers with young calves were left behind, while those with older calves were moved. Throughout the day, camp masters on horseback communicated with the vet in the helicopter, ensuring that tranquilizer dosages were precisely calculated.
Ensuring the Rhinos’ Safety in Their New Homes
As the convoy of trucks carrying 32 rhinos set off on their 17-hour journey to the Greater Kruger region, the question on everyone’s mind was whether these rhinos would be safe from poachers. The private nature reserves where they would be released have robust anti-poaching measures in place, but the threat remains ever-present. Kruger National Park, which borders the reserves, has seen a drastic decline in its rhino population due to poaching, with numbers dropping from 10,621 in 2011 to just 1,850 in 2022.
Upon arrival, the rhinos were released into a boma, a small, fenced area where they would recover and acclimate before being released into the wild. As the final rhino stepped out of its crate and began exploring the boma, there was a palpable sense of relief and accomplishment among the team. These 32 rhinos were now one step closer to freedom, their future in the wild more secure thanks to the tireless efforts of African Parks.
“Our goal is to establish up to 20 subpopulations of rhinos across Africa, each with no fewer than 50 individuals,” explained Don Jooste, manager of African Parks’ Rhino Rewild project. This ambitious plan is critical to ensuring the long-term survival of the species.
The success of this project hinges on the continued collaboration between conservationists, private landowners, and local communities. With the stakes so high, every effort is being made to protect these rhinos from the relentless threat of poaching. But for now, these 32 rhinos can begin their new lives, free from the immediate danger that has plagued their kind for so long.
