Black rhinos re-introduced to Gonarezhou National Park, Zimbabwe

An essential megaherbivore, the critically endangered black rhino that was once present in Gonarezhou National Park, has now returned.

With guidance from experienced veterinarians, ecologists, and animal handlers, the animals were recently relocated from three source populations within Zimbabwe to Gonarezhou National Park with success. Now, after several weeks of acclimatization, the rhinos are being released.

The first animal released was a dominant bull named “Khaya” which means ‘home’. The name was given by the honorable Minister of Environment, Climate Change, Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndlovu to signify that these animals have come back home to the Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe.

Although there is still a lot of monitoring work needed after release to ensure that the rhinos thrive and live safely within the Park, this is a significant milestone for the National Park’s development.

Risk is an inherent part of any major wildlife intervention because of the complexities that come with working with wild animals, especially ones that face poaching threats elsewhere. As such, before the rhinos were brought to Gonarezhou, the reintroduction team spent several years conducting a great deal of background work, such as security assessments, to prepare for this translocation.

The translocation of this very important founder population could not have been possible without the generous support of our donors, as well as the close collaboration and generosity of the custodians of the source populations being, the Bubye Valley Conservancy, Malilangwe Trust, and Save Valley Conservancy.

Congratulations to everyone for spending over a decade planning this process and for the hard work that went into making this long-term project a reality!