To ensure the survival of the critically endangered black rhino, 20 have been relocated from local reserves
to boost the population at a private reserve in Botswana.

The name of the reserve has been withheld for the rhinos’ protection.

The translocation forms part of the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project (BRREP), a partnership between Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).

The 20 animals were captured about eight weeks ago across seven game reserves – some managed by Ezemvelo and others existing BRREP sites.

To ensure genetic diversity, the progeny from these farms are combined and then moved to a new site.

Ezemvelo CEO Sihle Mkhize said this is the 18th new population established under BRREP since it began in 2003.

“This is not the first black rhino translocation project Ezemvelo has undertaken with our neighbouring countries, and we hope to continue these donations for as long as rhinos remain critically endangered,” said Mkhize.

Grouping 20 rhinos for a single translocation, rather than moving smaller numbers over time, gives the new population the best possible chance to establish itself, reproduce and eventually expand into the surrounding habitat.

Mkhize said this approach also allows Ezemvelo to distribute black rhino to new habitats across the region, while ensuring the animals are monitored.

Under the terms of the custodianship agreements, Mkhize said every calf born on a new reserve is either donated to that reserve or allocated back to Ezemvelo, a process that can take five to six years to play out, as populations need time to establish.

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