Forget the African Savannah – you could soon be going on safari in Australia. That’s the plan of one committed conservationist project that wants to introduce Africa’s big beasts to the Outback in a bid to save them from extinction.
First on the list is the rhino, with plans afoot to import scores of the endangered mammals Down Under where they can be safely breed and roam their own giant enclosure called Wild Africa – modelled on the Serengeti.
Aussie Sarah Dennis is heading the groundbreaking Australian Rhino Project, which aims to save the animal whose heartbreaking plight sees it poached for its ivory horns.
Speaking about the Noah’s Arc-style brainchild, she told The Sun: “The idea was always that the rhinos would be returned when the situation permits in Africa.
“But at the moment a rhino is being poached every six hours."
Up to 80 of the animals will be shipped in from South Africa to help create a Safari-style reserve
Conservationists say tourists will soon be able to have an Africa-style safari with animals like giraffes, zebra and rhino
“We’ve also reached tipping point where more are killed than are born and they may be extinct within ten years.
“Australia is a relatively safe location. Our climate is very similar and we have very strong veterinary skills.”
The construction of a national park-style enclose has already begun – with 11 kilometres of fencing planned for the proposed 80 rhinos.
And the project aims to make sure animal lovers can get up-close to one of the planet’s most iconic animals at the site in Monarto, South Australia.
They’ll soon be able to stay in luxury lodges where guests can sleep while the animals roam around their accommodation.
Giraffes already reside at the park in South Australia and more are planned
Eventually it will house luxury lodges where guests can stay and watch the animals from their accommodation
And the park plans to expand into the vast surrounding countryside so the wild animals can roam free
Among the other animals planners envisage roaming the park include lions, hyena, zebra and African wild dogs.
Giraffes have already been introduced with the nearby Monarto Zoo home to one of the largest herds outside of Africa.
At first only white rhino will be shipped in from South Africa – with the species having a more sociable and less aggressive temperament than their black rhino cousins.
Sarah, from Newcastle, New South Wales, added: “The rhinos will be in this huge open area and there will be the ability to visit them and got on a safari.”
Rhino conservationist Wouter van Hoven has previously heaped praise on the project.
He said: “Poachers will go where it is easy to poach. It is easier to poach rhinos in Africa than in Australia or America.
“It’s not that we want to get the rhinos out of Africa but we need to put some rhinos into a safe deposit box.”
