About ten (10) critically endangered black rhinos were translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique, this week.
The first rhinos were translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in 2022, in the longest road transfer of rhinos ever undertaken.
The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said this recent move, is to secure the first founder population of black rhinos, since becoming locally extinct, five decades ago.
The rhinos, five male and five female, were donated by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation, with financial support from players of UK People’s Postcode Lottery.
Dr Dion George, the South African Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, said “this is a significant conservation success. We congratulate the Government of Mozambique and its co-management partner, Peace Parks Foundation, on achieving this important milestone. Establishing new founder populations is one of many critical interventions to secure the future of these species.”
George also said South Africa’s successes in rhino conservation and the implementation of anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts, have stabilised its rhino populations.
“The export and import of these valuable black rhinos have been done in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora’s legislation of both countries,” added George.
Pejul Calenga, Director-General of the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), the authority responsible for managing and overseeing conservation areas in Mozambique, thanked the South African Government and partners, for their collaboration in the translocation.
“The journey to the recent successful translocation began in 2024, when Ezemvelo’s renowned Game Capture Unit expertly captured the rhinos selected for the translocation. The animals selected from various game reserves were given the highest level of care, whilst kept in holding bomas, awaiting favourable conditions for the road transfer. We are proud to have once again translocated healthy and well-cared-for animals, continuing our proud tradition. This accomplishment reaffirms our enduring commitment to secure a future for rhinos in Africa,” said Sihle Mkhize, Ezemvelo CEO.
Picture: Martin Harvey