Australia's pivotal role in saving the endangered white rhino

Hans Kooy and Senta Sonnendecker from Thaba Manzi, where the first rhinos that will be transported to Adelaide's Monarto zoo have been selected

There are lots of South Africans already living in Australia and we're about to welcome 35 more. Not people this time - rhinos!

A group of baby white rhinos are being sent to live in a purpose-built African Savannah in Adelaide to help guarantee their survival.

There are currently less than 20,000 of the critically endangered species left in the wild.

The Australian Rhino Project, Royal Zoological Society of South Australia, Orana Wildlife Park and Taronga Conservation Society Australia, are behind the project.

The groups are working to expand the numbers of white rhinos in Australia to act as an insurance population should the species become extinct in its African homeland.

Insurance populations have been utilised as a conservation strategy when species are under threat of extinction from human activity, habitat loss, disease or other causes.

Thanks to the generosity of Australians, $600,000 has already been raised to help build the facility.

However the Rhino Project needs another $1.4 million to fund the quarantine and transport of the animals in this world-first operation.

Originally Published by 7 News