Relocation, Relocation
African Parks Network is excited to share that 30 white rhinos have been successfully translocated to Akagera National Park in Rwanda, from andBeyond Phinda in South Africa, in the largest single rhino translocation ever undertaken. White rhinos are classified as near threatened with their numbers in decline due to poaching driven by demand for their horns. This historic translocation, which was carried out in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), andBeyond, and with funding provided by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, aims to extend the species’ range and create a secure new breeding stronghold in Rwanda, supporting population growth to ensure the long-term survival of the species.
The big arrival
“This is an opportunity for Rwanda to substantially advance its contribution to rhino conservation, with Akagera poised to become a globally important sanctuary for black and now white rhinoceros. This is timely for the conservation of these incredibly threatened species. We’re extremely proud of our conservation partnerships and our national parks, which are playing a pivotal role in meeting biodiversity targets and in driving sustainable, transformative, equitable socio-economic growth,” said Ariella Kageruka, RDB Acting Chief Tourism Officer.
The welcome party in Rwanda
The rhinos will be monitored daily by a dedicated team that will be overseeing their acclimation. Akagera has been managed by RDB and African Parks since 2010. Together, they overhauled law enforcement and implemented robust community programs which allowed its wildlife to increase and for key reintroductions to occur, such as lions in 2015 and black rhinos in 2017 and 2019. Today, Akagera serves as a globally important wildlife sanctuary and a sustainable revenue source for the region’s communities.
A new resident in Rwanda
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