The Australian Rhino Project

The ultimate goal of The Australian Rhino Project is to ensure the survival of these majestic species.

The Black and White Rhinoceros of Africa are on the verge of extinction due to excessive poaching, driven by a burgeoning market for rhinoceros horn in China and Vietnam. Despite continued efforts from the South African government and other in situ conservation attempts in African nations, the situation continues to deteriorate, with a current estimate of one rhino being poached every eight hours in South Africa. Rhinoceros poaching has escalated in recent years, and driven by demand from Vietnam for ‘medicinal’ rhinoceros horn and as a status symbol amongst a new generation of users.

It is in light of these dire circumstances that the Australian Rhino Project was born. The ultimate goal of the Australian Rhino Project is to ensure the survival of these majestic species by making a significant contribution to ex situ conservation breeding efforts in order to ensure species survival outside of the range states where the issue persists.

The objective of the project is to maintain a viable population outside of the range state, with targeted genetic and demographic management that will allow for the repatriation of African rhinoceros back to their natural habitat and homelands. The scope of this objective should not be underestimated, as it could be generations before this environment is secure and free from poaching.

While The Australian Rhino Project (TARP) welcomes open dialogue on our Facebook page, we appreciate only respectful interaction. Any inappropriate, inaccurate, profane or disrespectful dialogue will be removed. TARP maintains that any dialogue on its FB page is the opinion of the writer and not necessarily that of TARP, its employees or board of directors.