The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has just acquired a new vision wildlife sanctuary. Kibali Gold Mine, a subsidiary of Barrick Gold, a Canadian company operating and developing mining sites in the DRC, offered a batch of white rhinos from South Africa to the Garamba wildlife sanctuary in Haut-Uélé (North- Eastern DRC). This national park is already home to endangered species, such as elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes and okapis.
The white rhinos of Garamba have been almost decimated by poachers, as well as by the various wars that the region has experienced. This project to restore the population of white rhinos in the national park is called upon to strengthen the tourist attractiveness of the region, which expects more than 60 white rhinos in the next three years.
To oversee the project, the company has partnered with African Park and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), a public institution responsible for the conservation of protected areas in the DRC. A major operation to reintroduce around ten white rhinos was successfully carried out in Garamba on Friday June 9th. For Mark Bristow, CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation, the goal is to contribute to the long-term survival of this species by creating a new population group, while strengthening the conservation of biodiversity in the region.
Garamba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It is a region of immense savannas, grassy or wooded, interspersed with gallery forests along the rivers and marshy depressions. Residents and tourists cannot enter this area without special permission.
Thanks to this great initiative, the conservation of biodiversity and the preservation of endangered species, in particular white rhinos, are ensured in the Garamba region in the DRC.