Flying Rhinos and Contentious Conservation: Behind African Parks' Move
The Imperative of Aviation for Rhinos: A New Perspective
By Simone Schlindwein, Kampala
vaccination videos went viral online featuring crated rhinos, gazing nervously at their new surroundings in Rwanda's Akagera National Park. This was the world's largest relocation of big game — 70 rhinos flown from South Africa, marking a bold move by African Parks, a controversial nature conservation organization.
Emaciated from their transport ordeal, the rhinos were carefully unloaded onto a Boeing 747, flown over 3400 kilometers to Rwanda, and finally driven to their new home. The Rwandan Development Board (RDB) hailed the operation, partnering with African Parks to restore the park's ecosystem and protect endangered rhino populations for future generations.
Panorama: Birds of Prey Fall Silent, Poisoned by Poachers
The southern white rhino, a critically endangered species, has faced decimation due to hunting during the colonial era. With only 17,000 remaining on the continent, per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), these new additions to Rwanda may help secure the species' survival and promote breeding.
The primary intent behind this expensive, complex operation is economic, as well. The "Big Five" — lions, elephants, leopards, buffaloes, and rhinos — are essential attractions in the lucrative African safari tourism industry. African Parks believes that if they aren't naturally present in the national parks, they must be imported[1].
Panorama: Tragedy Strikes in Kruger: Elephant Tramples Tourist
Saving Nature, Boosting Economy
Founded as a for-profit business, African Parks boasts a Self-Sustaining Model, generating $27 million in the last five years from safari tourism revenue. They plan to invest these funds in managing more national parks across Africa, eventually controlling 20 million hectares of land by 2030[2]. They collaborate with various governments, aiming to realize the global community's goal of protecting 30% of the Earth's surface by 2030[3].
The Dark Side: Accusations of Abuse and Displacement
However, criticism towards African Parks extends beyond the ethical implications of their methods, as allegations of human rights violations against the indigenous Baka people in the Republic of Congo have surfaced. Over a two-year investigation by human rights organizations and journalists, reports of torture, rape, forced displacement, and arbitrary arrests by wildlife rangers, trained and armed by African Parks, have emerged[1][4].
Confronted with these accusations, African Parks has admitted instances of human rights violations[4], while emphasizing their commitment to investigating and addressing these incidents. The organization commissioned a London law firm to examine the allegations, which found evidence of 21 cases involving rape, torture, arbitrary arrests, and illegal killings[4].
Panorama: Uganda's Secret Rhino Refuge Struggles with SpaceMore relocations are planned for 2023. African Parks' CEO, Peter Fearnhead, maintains that the arrival of the rhinos in Akagera Park is merely the start of a multi-faceted, long-term conservation initiative. However, he remained silent on potential gains or human rights abuses concerns[2].
Sources:
- African Parks (2022)
- RDB (2023)
- UN (2010)
- Survival International (2023)
- Omnia Strategy Report (2023)
- Van Beemen (2024)
- African Parks, with a commitment to protecting 30% of the Earth's surface by 2030, plans to invest its generated $27 million from safari tourism into managing more national parks, employing both environmental science and education-and-self-development training for its workers.
- In addition to restoring ecosystems and protecting endangered species like the southern white rhino, African Parks' conservation initiatives aim to boost employment opportunities in regions like Rwanda, where economic benefits can come from the safari tourism industry.
- However, the employment policy of African Parks faces criticism due to allegations of human rights violations, particularly against the Baka people in the Republic of Congo, calling for an evaluation of the organization's community policy to ensure ethical and equitable treatment for local populations.
