A herd of black rhino has been reintroduced into Zimbabwe’s Matusadona National Park landscape after an absence of more than 30 years.
The initiative was conducted by Matusadona National Park, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and African Parks along with institutional and philanthropic support from the European Union, Global Wildlife Fund and private philanthropists Thomas and Sara de Swardt. Funding for preliminary preparation was provided by the Rhino Recovery Fund.
The rhinos, sourced from Imire Rhino and Wildlife Conservancy, Matobo National Park and one other undisclosed location, were airlifted to the park. They will be released into a secure 17 500 hectare intensive protection zone in the national park, following a period of close monitoring in purpose-built bomas.
Each rhino is also fitted with a tracking device allowing real-time monitoring and prompt response to any signs of stress or conflict after release.
“I was here in the 1990s when we lost them. I helped capture the last survivors. We crated them and flew them out to safety not knowing if the species would ever come back. Having witnessed the rhinos’ catastrophic decline in Matusadona, it is incredibly emotional to see their return,” said Matusadona National Park Manager Michael Pelham.
“Matusadona is synonymous with black rhino and, walking through this landscape recently, there has been an overbearing sense that we are missing an icon. No words can describe the feeling of seeing these animals arrive back into Matusadona. The entire park team is incredibly grateful to every individual and partner who has helped make this moment a reality.”
