Leofoo Launches “International Rhino Diplomacy Program,”
Setting Taiwan’s Largest-Ever Model for the Transfer of Near-Threatened Species
Leofoo Safari Park and South Korea’s Everland Zoo Establish Sister-Park Partnership
Due to rampant poaching and continued habitat loss, global rhino populations have been declining at an alarming rate. According to the latest statistics released by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), the global rhino population decreased by 1,290 individuals in 2024 compared to the previous year. Among all subspecies, the Southern White Rhino recorded the steepest annual decline, exceeding 11%.
For decades, Leofoo Tourism Group has been deeply committed to endangered species conservation and international collaboration. Its achievements in rhino breeding are the largest in Taiwan and are widely recognized as a benchmark among international zoological institutions.
On October 1, Leofoo Tourism Group President, Mr. Jason Lai (賴振融), officially announced the launch of the “International Rhino Diplomacy Program,” aimed at sharing Leofoo’s internationally recognized expertise in rhino breeding, veterinary care, and conservation with the global community. The program focuses on three core pillars:
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Genetic Diversification of Rhino Populations
Through cross-border rhino exchanges, the program expands the global genetic pool and enhances genetic diversity within managed populations. -
Strengthening International Veterinary Capacity
By facilitating professional exchanges and talent mobility, Leofoo works to elevate medical treatment and care standards for rhinos worldwide. -
Enhancing the Welfare of Endangered Species
By advancing animal welfare knowledge and optimizing exhibit design, the program ensures that rhinos in managed care enjoy living conditions that closely resemble their natural habitats.
President Lai emphasized that the medical care and conservation of large wildlife species require exceptional expertise and long-term experience. Leofoo Safari Park is among the few zoological institutions worldwide capable of integrating rhino breeding, advanced veterinary care, and international transfer operations. It is also the only zoo in Taiwan with proven experience in exporting rhinos.
In recent years, Leofoo Tourism Group has actively hosted international wildlife conservation workshops and participated in global conservation organizations, promoting cross-border collaboration. Institutions from Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Europe, and North America have all expressed strong interest in future cooperation. Through these international conservation initiatives, Leofoo aims to progressively build a global rhino conservation network dedicated to safeguarding the species’ future.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cross-border endangered species conservation with Everland, South Korea’s largest theme park, in July 2025, the partnership has now reached a major milestone. Leofoo Safari Park General Manager, Mr. Yeh Chung-Yueh (葉忠岳), and Everland Zoo Director, Mr. Jung Dong-hee (鄭東熙), formally signed a Sister-Park Cooperation Agreement, jointly announcing the launch of the International Rhino Diplomacy Program.
Under the agreement, a rhino transfer to South Korea is planned for late next year. The collaboration aims to promote global rhino genetic diversity and establish a new international benchmark for wildlife exchange, veterinary collaboration, and professional capacity building.
Unlike the 2021 transfer of a six-year-old female rhino, “Emma,” to Japan, the upcoming export will involve rhinos at optimal breeding age, with the hope of welcoming new offspring in South Korea in the near future. In terms of number, body size, and weight, this transfer represents the largest near-threatened species export operation in Taiwan’s history, posing a significant logistical and professional challenge for both teams.
To ensure success, Everland dispatched a veterinary and animal conservation delegation to Taiwan in September this year for technical exchanges. Simultaneously, Leofoo Safari Park has initiated comprehensive preparatory measures, fully mobilizing its resources to accomplish what is set to become Taiwan’s most significant wildlife diplomacy milestone.
Leofoo Tourism Group continues to actively build a global partnership network by promoting international academic collaboration and animal exchange programs. The Group has joined the Southeast Asian Zoos and Aquariums Association (SEAZA), which comprises approximately 70 member institutions worldwide, and has established sister-park agreements with Everland (South Korea), Tobu Zoo (Japan), Hsinchu Zoo, and Shoushan Zoo in Taiwan.
Through sustained cooperation and professional exchange among domestic and international zoological institutions, Leofoo remains committed to enhancing genetic diversity and advancing the sustainable development of global animal populations.
Previously, Leofoo was invited to present its research at the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV), earning further international professional recognition. In addition, Leofoo has hosted international wildlife professional workshops for two consecutive years, inviting leading global experts as instructors and attracting over one hundred professionals from more than ten countries. These efforts have received widespread acclaim from the international conservation community.
As global environmental challenges intensify, the urgency of wildlife conservation has never been greater. Leofoo Tourism Group will continue to collaborate with international partners and experts to ensure the long-term survival of wildlife species worldwide.
