Launch of world's largest black rhino sanctuary at Fish River Canyon

The black rhino is one of the most endangered species in the world. Only about 5,500 animals remain in the wild. Gondwana Collection Namibia will help bring these pachyderms back to one of their former habitats and protect them.

To this end, the world's largest private sanctuary for black rhinos is being established at the Fish River Canyon in southern Namibia. At its heart is the Gondwana Canyon Park with 30 years of wildlife management experience, the tourism company announced yesterday [https://gondwana-collection.com/news/largest-black-rhino-sanctuary].

Black rhinos used to live in the area alongside giraffes and elephants until European hunters wiped them out in the 19th century.

The basis for the reintroduction is the black rhino custodianship programme (more in this background article). It is managed and monitored by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism. Black rhinos in Namibia are always the property of the state.

Protecting rhinos with high tech

The third partner is ERP Namibia. ERP stands for 'Elephants, Rhinos & People'. The non-governmental organisation protects elephants and rhinos with and for the benefit of the local people.

ERP Namibia specialises in monitoring wildlife areas and combating poaching. It has developed a technology-based model for protecting wild animals. This comprises satellite tracking, fencing, information-based patrols and networks of local informants. In the run-up to the reintroduction measures, ERP Namibia's special anti-poaching units will be deployed.

The Fish River Canyon landscape forms part of the /Ai /Ais-Richtersveld Transfrontier Park [https://namibian.org/parks/namibia-parks-south/ai-ais-richtersveld-transfrontier-park], where wildlife can also roam freely. This results in a huge sanctuary for the horned pachyderms.

Funds for the long-term financing of protective measures should also come from tourism revenues. Gondwana plans to develop rhino tracking tours, educational safaris and overnight stays in the wilderness. In addition, a rhino information centre will be set up at Canyon Roadhouse.

Ensuring that people also benefit has always been an integral part of the Gondwana concept. Tours and anti-poaching measures create sustainable jobs and benefits for the local community and for Namibia as a whole.

Sven-Eric Stender