Up to 20 Eastern Black rhinos are being translocated to Akagera National Park in Rwanda from South Africa. African Parks, in collaboration with the Rwanda Development Board and with funding provided by the Howard G Buffett Foundation, is carrying out the translocation over the first two weeks of May.
These will be the first Eastern Black rhino to return to Rwanda since the last individual was documented in the country 10 years ago.
Security measures have been implemented specifically to ensure the safety and well-being of the animals, which includes a trained rhino tracking and protection team, a canine anti-poaching unit, and the deployment of a helicopter for critical air surveillance. “We are fully prepared to welcome them and ensure their safety for the benefit of our tourism industry and the community at large. We couldn't be more excited for their return,” said Clare Akamanzi, CEO of Rwanda Development Board.
African Parks, in partnership with the Rwanda Development Board, took over the management of the park in 2010. Seven lions were successfully reintroduced in 2015, whose population has since more than doubled.
The People’s Postcode Lottery and the Dutch Government are also providing additional support to the project.
