Kruger National Park to sell some of its white rhinos

SANParks Chairman, Kuseni Dlamini says that the plan to sell some of the white rhino in the Kruger National Park will be done under strictly controlled conditions. Image: SANParks

The strategy by SANParks is in line with a rhino management strategy adopted by Cabinet in August. It is aimed at curbing poaching in the country's national parks.

SANParks is currently finalising provisions for the sale of rhino and will call for offers to purchase in a series of newspaper advertisements soon.

The SANParks board has recently cancelled a planned sale because proper governance procedures were not followed. However, issues around this have been ironed out and the sale will be fully compliant with supply chain processes and SANParks' conservation mandate.

"Planning is already well underway for the first auction of rhinos, which will take place later this year," said SANParks Chairman Kuseni Dlamini. He said SANParks will strictly regulate prospective buyers who will be required to sign agreements to ensure relocated animals contribute to the conservation of the species and the growth of the rhino population.

Due diligence

With all sales, a due diligence process will be followed including background checks on prospective buyers. Anyone wanting to purchase more than 20 rhino has to comply with habitat and ecological suitability and security requirements.

High levels of poaching have reduced the population of white rhinos in the Kruger National Park and now some of the rhino will be sold to ensure that the population is able to grow and be sustained. Image: Saving Rhinos

The due diligence process includes a risk assessment to ensure the safety of the animals, and buyers will be required to present a security plan that ensures the animals' safety as well as a conservation plan.

The money raised from the sale will be invested into conservation. This includes the purchase of additional land to expand the range for rhinos, the restoration of ecosystems and the employment of additional rangers.

"We are now ready to move ahead with our rhino management strategy. Relocation is the core of our approach - not only to combat poaching, but to ensure the continued growth of the rhino population," said Dlamini.

"In this way, we will be able to offset the effects of poaching in the short- to medium-term, while expanding the overall population size."

The multi-faceted strategy includes the relocation of some rhino from the KNP to create rhino strongholds in other parts of the country.

"We will begin by relocating rhinos from specific high-risk parts of the park and from areas where there is a high population density, as this will also increase birth rates among the rhinos that remain in the park," said Dlamini.