Today, it is with good news that we open our blog: the reintroduction of white rhinos in the Garamba National Park in the DRC. This initiative led 13 years ago by the CEO of Barrick Gold Corporation, Mark Bristow, has just materialized with the introduction of sixteen white rhinos from South Africa into the nature reserve.
Garamba National Park was one of the last strongholds of long-extinct northern white rhinos. This reintroduction of the southern subspecies, in an adapted environment, promotes both the long-term conservation of rhinos in Africa and the creation of a new breeding node for the species.
The fight against poaching has been important in the realization of this initiative. Since 2005, when African Parks took over the management of Garamba Park, there has been a significant decrease in poaching and an increase in the population of most wildlife species due to the establishment of rehabilitation programs , socio-economic initiatives and infrastructure modernization.
Barrick Gold Corporation contributed $2.5 million to fund this initiative. This mining company makes it a point of honor to implement sustainable development and environmental protection measures in the areas where it operates.
Barrick’s biodiversity strategy places importance on protecting areas of high conservation value. The strategic partnership with African Parks and the Congolese Institute for Nature Conservation (ICCN), as well as the involvement of the local population, make this project a real example of sustainable and responsible development for the protection of biodiversity.
The reintroduction of white rhinos in the Garamba National Park in the DRC is therefore a real hope for the conservation of the species, as well as an opportunity for the local population to develop sustainable initiatives to fight against poaching and preserve biodiversity.