http://www.theguardian.com/environm...e-to-fly-80-south-african-rhinos-to-australia Former sales executive who emigrated to Australia 30 years ago is hatching a daring plan in an attempt to save the species from poachers Please Register or Log in to view the hidden image! A group of rhinos in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. Poachers slaughtered 1,338 rhinos across Africa last year. Photograph: Greatstock/Barcroft Media A retired South African sales executive who emigrated to Australia 30 years ago is hatching a daring plan to airlift 80 rhinos to his adopted country in an attempt to save the species from poachers. Flying each animal on the 11,000-kilometre journey will cost about $A60,500, but Ray Dearlove believes the expense and risk is essential as poaching deaths have soared in recent years. The rhinos will be relocated to a safari park in Australia, which is being kept secret for security reasons, where they will become a “seed bank” to breed future generations. “Our grand plan is to move 80 over a four-year period. We think that will provide the nucleus of a good breeding herd,” Dearlove said while visiting South Africa to organise for the first batch to be flown out. The Australian Rhino Project, which the 68-year-old founded in 2013, hopes to take six rhinos to their new home before the end of the year. Funding – from private and corporate sources – is nearly in place, and the first rhinos have been selected from animals kept on private reserves in South Africa. more at link....................
