Animal tourism is a practice of admiring wild animals in their natural habitat, avoiding any form of violence for their preservation. The Haut-Uélé province, located in the north-east of the Democratic Republic of Congo, has set up a Garamba wildlife sanctuary to protect endangered species such as elephants, giraffes, hippopotamuses, buffaloes or okapis again.
To strengthen biodiversity and boost tourism in the park, the Canadian company Barrick Gold, through its subsidiary Kibali Gold Mine, has decided to initiate a project to reintroduce white rhinos from South Africa. This operation was successfully carried out, this Friday, June 9, 2023, with a dozen white rhinos which were introduced into their new habitat.
The relocation of white rhinos in Garamba is done in collaboration with African Park and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN). The company thus intends to create a new population group for this species, contribute to its long-term survival, while strengthening the attractiveness of the park for visitors.
For the governor of Haut-Uélé, Christophe Nangaa, this operation represents a major zoological challenge for his province. He believes that the arrival of these animals will boost tourism in the region and force the authorities to work on tourist infrastructure to enable them to welcome visitors in the best conditions.
Note that the Garamba National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and is one of the oldest national parks in Africa. It covers about 5000 km² and is home to many endangered animal species.
This wildlife protection initiative is part of the sustainable development policy advocated by Barrick Gold, which also funds the fitting of GPS collars on elephants and lions, satellite connection and veterinary care to better monitor and protect these animals. animals.
In short, the reintroduction of white rhinos in the Garamba Faunal Reserve is part of a global policy for the preservation of biodiversity and makes it possible to strengthen the tourist attractiveness of the region.