An ambitious project to secure the future of rhinos in Africa

Just two years ago, 2,000 southern white rhinos faced a threatening future. Platinum Rhino, the world’s largest captive rhino breeding farm in South Africa’s North West Province, shuttered, leaving the rhinos in a precarious situation. <a href="https://www.africanparks.org/">African Parks</a>, an NGO focused on biodiversity conservation, took action to rescue and rewild these majestic animals while restoring the wild environments they once roamed. The project, <a href="https://rhinorewild.org/">Rhino Rewild</a>, offers hope for these remarkable creatures.&nbsp;As part of B&amp;Rs ongoing commitment to ethical tourism and sustainability, our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/who-we-are/sustainability/the-slow-fund">Slow Fund</a> project allows us to make a meaningful and tangible impact on the regions we visit. Since 2022, <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/the-slow-fund/conserving-species-iconic-landscapes-across-africa-with-african-parks">we’ve partnered with African Parks</a>, and our most recent funding has directly supported the Rhino Rewild project.&nbsp;&nbsp;

How did we get here?&nbsp;Globally, rhinos face a serious threat from poachers who trade rhino horn—a highly valuable commodity on the black market—resulting in fatal consequences for the animals. In South Africa, despite an international trade ban, domestic trade in rhino horn is legal. Platinum Rhino sought to capitalize on this market.&nbsp;&nbsp;The private farm was set up 15 years ago to breed southern white rhino and farm their horns through dehorning (a safe, regulated horn removal practice). However, in 2023, Platinum Rhino faced liquidation after the owner’s failed business model led to the venture’s collapse. With no buyers at auction, the rhinos were at risk of poaching and fragmentation. Fortunately, African Parks stepped in, securing emergency funding to purchase the land, equipment and the 2,000 rhinos—which represent 15% of the world’s population.&nbsp;What does the project entail?&nbsp;Rhino Rewild is a three-phase project: rescue, rewild and restore. The ultimate goal is to transition these rhinos back to their rightful places in the wild by gradually reintroducing all 2,000 animals—and potentially another 1,000 offspring—into safe and protected wild areas over the next 10 years.&nbsp;&nbsp;The project’s vision is to bolster existing rhino populations and reintroduce them to regions where they’ve been locally extinct. By doing so, white rhinos, herbivores key to savanna ecosystems, play a vital role in storing 30% of the world’s terrestrial carbon. Where thriving rhino populations exist, both flora and fauna flourish, benefiting the ecosystems, wildlife and people within them.&nbsp;

Where to from here?&nbsp;Over the next 10 years, the project will relocate 300 rhinos a year to various African countries. This initiative not only supports the recovery of southern white rhinos but contributes to global biodiversity and creates lasting conservation benefits for multiple species—including our own. It also helps raise the profile of African national parks, while creating safe spaces where both wildlife and people can coexist.&nbsp;Rhino Rewild is a story of courage, resilience and hope. Where once these animals faced the brink of extinction, their future is now within reach—not just within our lifetime, but within the next 10 years. We’re proud to play a small part in this extraordinary journey and bring awareness to the cause through our <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/trip/bespoke/south-africa-bespoke">South Africa Bespoke adventures</a> and trips throughout <a href="https://www.butterfield.com/places-to-go/africa">Africa</a>.&nbsp;

The African Parks Rhino Rewild project accelerates conservation in Africa, with the support of B&R’s Slow Fund

An ambitious project to secure the future of rhinos in Africa

By Butterfield & Robinson

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