Black rhinos, whose numbers have declined with 98% from 1960 until present, were extinct in Mozambique before seven black rhinos were recently moved from South Africa to Zinave National Park with the hopes of establishing a new founder population there.

A group of specialists undertook the longest road transfer of black rhinos ever and moved the animals from Manketti Game Reserve in South Africa to Zinave National Park in Mozambique.

🦏🦏 𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐫𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐧 𝐭𝐨 𝐙𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐳𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐪𝐮𝐞! https://t.co/jfa8JV6uLB@ExxaroResources @DPLotterie pic.twitter.com/twZth7sh5C

— PeaceParksFoundation (@Peace_Parks) September 1, 2022

The move is part of a partnership that seeks to relocate 40 rhinos to neighbouring Mozambique within the next two to three years. Mining and renewable energy solutions company Exxaro Resources, Peace Parks Foundation and Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (Anac), as well as the Mozambican and South African governments, took hands to make this project work.

Safer location and beefed up security

Exxaro Resources CEO Dr Nombasa Tsengwa believes the rhinos they donated will thrive at a ‘safer location’ in the national park in Mozambique.

“A partnership was formed with Peace Parks based on the foundation’s proposal to establish a new founder population of rhino in the park. The decision compliments Exxaro’s biodiversity and environmental management strategies and met our project criteria of moving our rhino to a safer location, while contributing to broader rhino conservation strategies of the region,” Tsengwa explains in a statement.

A host of security measures have been put into place to protect the rhinos. They have been fitted with tracking sensors that are monitored in a control room that is operational 24/7. Furthermore, investment from the German Postcode Lottery and MAVA Foundation was used to employ 34 more rangers to bring the total rangers who are deployed in the area to 80.

An additional 20 sanctuary guard are deployed as first-line detection of intruders, while a helicopter and fixed-wing aircraft–integrated into a rapid response unit with a canine team, was introduced to boost surveillance and counter-poaching reaction capabilities.

Previous translocations

The translocation of the black rhinos follows after 19 white rhinos were successfully introduced to the park two months ago.

The white rhinos adapted easily to their new home and soon after their arrival, a calf was born. The translocation of the black rhinos were, however, no easy feat as the species is less tolerant and more aggressive in nature than white rhinos.

Future endeavours

Peace Parks CEO Werner Myburgh says: “The arrival of a founder herd of black rhino in Zinave marks a special achievement for Peace Parks and our partners. To have two African rhino species reinstated as the vital cornerstones of this complex ecosystem will make a crucial contribution both to the greater biodiversity, and to the status of the park as a sought-after eco-tourism destination and the only national park in Mozambique where you can see the ‘big five’.”

Anac director general Celmira da Silva is excited for the future of the partnership.

“If this is what can be achieved in one park in just seven years, we are excited about what the future holds for more transformative conservation achievements not only in Zinave, but also the other protected areas such as Limpopo, Banhine and Maputo national parks that are being developed through this partnership,” she adds.