Question

The first ever Wildlife conservation bond (a financial instrument) in the world, was floated to conserve which of the following critically endangered species

• A. Cheetah in India
• B. Water Buffalo in Africa
• C. Giant Panda in China
• D. Black Rhino in South Africa
• E. Opossum in Australia

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

The given question asks about the world's first-ever Wildlife Conservation Bond and its focus on conserving a critically endangered species. Let's analyze the options and understand which species the bond was actually designed to help preserve:

• Cheetah in India: While cheetah conservation is a notable cause, the first Wildlife Conservation Bond was not aimed at this species. Also, India introduced the cheetahs in recent re-introduction efforts, not through a bond.
• Water Buffalo in Africa: This option is incorrect, as no significant Wildlife Conservation Bond focusing on Water Buffaloes had been highlighted in global conversations or released as the first of its kind.
• Giant Panda in China: Remarkably recognized for conservation efforts, yet this species does not tie in with the first Wildlife Conservation Bond.
• Black Rhino in South Africa: This is the correct answer. The world's first Wildlife Conservation Bond, introduced by the World Bank, was aimed at financing efforts for conserving the critically endangered Black Rhino populations in South Africa's Addo Elephant National Park and the Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
• Opossum in Australia: Generally, opossum conservation has not been a critical recipient of such worldwide financial instruments in recent records.

The Wildlife Conservation Bond, also dubbed as the "Rhino Bond," is distinctive because it utilizes a "pay-for-success" model. This innovative financing model emphasizes achieving measurable outcomes in wildlife conservation, with funds primarily directed at enabling population growth and habitat protection for Black Rhinos in listed reserves.

Thus, the correct answer is the Black Rhino in South Africa.

Answer 2

The question pertains to the first-ever Wildlife Conservation Bond, a financial instrument designed to aid the conservation of a critically endangered species. Given the options, we need to determine which species this bond was established for.

Let's analyze each option:

1. Cheetah in India: While the conservation of cheetahs is significant, especially with recent efforts in India to reintroduce them, the Wildlife Conservation Bond in question does not relate to cheetahs.
2. Water Buffalo in Africa: Though water buffalos are important to African ecosystems, the bond was not established for them.
3. Giant Panda in China: The conservation of giant pandas is primarily supported by efforts in China, but they are not linked to this specific bond.
4. Black Rhino in South Africa: Correct. The first-ever Wildlife Conservation Bond, also known as the Rhino Bond, was launched by the World Bank to support the conservation of black rhinos in South Africa. This initiative represents a crucial financial experiment aimed at linking wildlife preservation success with financial returns.
5. Opossum in Australia: Opossums are not endangered, and no such bond has been announced for them.

The correct answer is the Black Rhino in South Africa. The bond's aim is to increase the population of black rhinos through investment in their conservation, offering investors returns based on conservation success rather than financial performance alone.