In a major conservation milestone, ten critically endangered black rhinos—five males and five females—have been successfully relocated from South Africa to Mozambique’s Zinave National Park, marking the species’ return to the region after five decades of local extinction.
Picture not affiliated with Mozambique rhino/Women Travel Abroad/Unsplash
The translocation, aimed at establishing a new founder population in the park, is the result of a cross-border collaboration between several key conservation players, as per SABC News reports.
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South Africa’s Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife donated the rhinos, while Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas, the Peace Parks Foundation, and the players of the UK People’s Postcode Lottery provided funding and logistical support.
“This is a huge milestone for us as Mozambicans,” said veterinarian HagnÉsio Chiponde of the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance. We know how emblematic, how important these animals are, and how endangered these animals are at the moment.
“Now, we’re in a position to join efforts in order to protect the species. It’s a huge opportunity for other Mozambicans, especially the communities around the park, so they also need to join forces with the park and the government to protect such a species.”
The initiative is part of broader efforts to restore biodiversity in Zinave National Park, which forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area spanning Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.
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