WWF South Africa’s Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP) has surpassed 400 black rhinos across its project sites, including translocated individuals and their first, second and third-generation offspring.
Launched in 2003, BRREP began as a three-year initiative with a target of one or two new populations of 20 black rhinos. Now, 22 years later, the programme is in its eighth three-year phase with 17 populations established in South Africa and one in Malawi.
With fewer than 6 500 black rhinos remaining globally, BRREP now supports 16% of South Africa’s population across more than 360 000 hectares. Of the 17 sites, eight are wholly or partly community-owned.
The project works with private and community landowners and government partners such as Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency. It facilitates land consolidation by encouraging the removal of internal fencing to create ecologically viable areas suitable for black rhino and other species such as cheetahs, wild dogs and vultures.
To date, BRREP has moved 280 rhinos to new sites in five South African provinces and one established in Malawi. The programme focuses on translocation and long-term management of rhino populations to support genetic diversity and boost breeding.
“400 black rhinos across our project sites is an exciting milestone that demonstrates the success and effectiveness of BRREP and its contributions to black rhino conservation. Translocating black rhinos to new areas is the first step towards population growth. To keep these populations healthy and growing, ongoing management such as moving rhinos for genetic reasons is important. This is what has made BRREP so successful – the translocations and the subsequent long-term management of these new populations,” said Jeff Cooke, WWF South Africa Rhino Conservation Manager.
