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2,000 near-threatened white rhinos to be auctioned

White Rhinos - Level 4

The word "auction" usually makes us think of art or wine. We rarely think of threatened species. However, rich people with at least $10 million can bid for 1,993 rhinos on International Save the Rhino Day. A South African multi-millionaire conservationist, John Hume, is selling his rhinos. He started a breeding project 30 years ago with 200 animals. He increased his stock by ten-fold. He is also selling his 8,500-hectare ranch.

Mr Hume owns over 10 per cent of the world's rhinos. He spent $150 million on his project, but can no longer afford it. He has to pay vets' bills, security guards and helicopter patrols. He said he used all his life savings and has run out of money. He hopes a billionaire will "save the population of rhinos from extinction rather than own a super-yacht". He said: "Rhinos are underdogs. They stand the least chance of surviving poaching."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

White Rhinos - Level 5

The word "auction" usually makes us think of priceless art or fine wines. We rarely think of near-threatened species. However, people rich enough to spend in excess of $10 million can bid for 1,993 rhinos on Monday – International Save the Rhino Day. The South African multi-millionaire conservationist and entrepreneur John Hume is selling the beautiful beasts. He started a breeding project with 200 rhinoceros 30 years ago. He increased his stock by ten-fold. Mr Hume is also selling the 8,500-hectare ranch where the rhinos live.

Mr Hume's ranch is home to more than 10 per cent of the world's rhino population. Hume personally spent $150 million on increasing rhino numbers. He can no longer afford his animals. He has to pay vets' bills, security guards to keep poachers away, and helicopter patrols. He said: "I've used all my life savings…and I finally ran out of money. I'm hoping that there is a billionaire that would rather save the population of rhinos from extinction than own a super-yacht." He said: "Rhinos are underdogs. They stand the least chance of surviving poaching."

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11 online activities    |    8-page printable   (PDF)

White Rhinos - Level 6

The word "auction" usually conjures up images of priceless art, fine wines or celebrity memorabilia. It rarely makes us think of a near-threatened species of rhinoceros. However, those rich enough to splash out in excess of $10 million can bid for 1,993 white rhinos on May the 1st, which is International Save the Rhino Day. The majestic beasts are being sold by multi-millionaire conservationist John Hume, a South African entrepreneur. He started a rhino breeding project with about 200 animals 30 years ago. He managed to increase his stock of the animals ten-fold. Mr Hume is also selling the 8,500-hectare ranch 100 miles south-east of Johannesburg where the rhinos live.

Mr Hume's ranch is home to more than 10 per cent of the world's total rhino population. Hume has spent $150 million of his personal fortune on increasing rhino numbers, but can no longer afford to maintain the creatures. His expenses include vets' bills, security guards to keep poachers at bay and a helicopter for air patrols. He told reporters: "I've used all my life savings spending on that population of rhinos for 30 years and I finally ran out of money. I'm hoping that there is a millionaire that would rather save the population of rhinos from extinction than own a super-yacht." Hume lamented that: "Rhinos are underdogs. They stand the least chance of surviving poaching."

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25 online activities    |    27-page printable    |    2-page mini-lesson