LAUSR

The Australian Rhino Project (www.theaustralianrhinoproject.org) proposes importing 80 rhinos from South Africa to Australia by 2019 at a cost of over $US4 million, and the first six due to have been moved in 2016. This project has high profile supporters in the private sector, zoos and both governments, and is gaining major publicity through association with sporting teams and TedEx talks (http://www.theaustralianrhinoproject.org/index.php/news/blogs/11-news-and-blogs/242-ray-tedx). However, establishing extralimital populations of African rhinos is a very low priority conservation action, particularly given over 800 are already in captivity, and we argue this project diverts funds and expertise away from more important activities; the proposed captive conditions will lead to selection for domestic traits; the most likely species involved is the white rhino, which is the lowest priority rhino species for conservation; it removes a driver of in situ conservation; it does not focus on the critically endangered Asian rhino species; and it extends the historical exploitation of Africa's resources by colonial powers. There are also insufficient details in the public domain about the project for objective decision-making. We believe this is misdirected neo-colonial conservation and the policy support from both governments for this project should be reconsidered. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved