Sightseeing wildlife tourism is a practice of peaceful encounter between humans and “wild” animals in their “natural” habitat. With this in mind, the Garamba wildlife sanctuary in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), created to protect the habitat of elephants, giraffes, hippos, buffaloes, okapis, etc., has just reintroduced a dozen white rhinos in danger of extinction. came from South Africa. This project to restore the population of white rhinos in Garamba National Park is funded by Barrick Gold, a Canadian company operating and developing mining sites operating in the DRC.
The great zoological challenge of relocating these white rhinos to the Garamba reserve is part of an initiative to protect, promote biodiversity and conserve wildlife advocated by Barrick Gold. Thus, African Park and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN) jointly supervise the project.
As a reminder, the white rhinos of Garamba had been almost decimated by poachers, as well as by the various wars that the region has known. Going from about 1,000 animals in 1960 to 490 in 1976, then to about 13 specimens in 1984 and finally to 15 individuals in 1994.
The objective of this project to restore the population of white rhinos in the Garamba reserve is to prevent the disappearance of an animal species threatened with extinction. For Mark Bristow, President and CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation, this project should also enhance the attractiveness of Garamba National Park while contributing to the survival of biodiversity, given “its important role to play in the war against poverty “.
However, the governor of Haut-Uélé, Christophe Nangaa, underlines that the arrival of these animals in the Garamba park which occupies 20% of the surface of the province of Haut-Uélé must be profitable. For him, the arrival of white rhinos will boost tourism and will force both the central government and the province to work on infrastructure so that this site is very popular.
Beyond the project to restore the population of white rhinos in the Garamba reserve, Barrick Gold also funds the fitting of GPS collars on elephants and lions, satellite connection and veterinary care. Replacing an endangered species in a natural environment and its long-term survival is a gain for the planet