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By Christophe Uwizeyimana
70 Southern White Rhino translocated to Akagera National Park, Rwanda, marking First Cross-Continental Move for African Parks’ Rhino Rewild Initiative.
The translocation was complex and was completed in two phases, each comprising 35 rhino, spaced three days apart. This significant move, part of African Parks’ Rhino Rewild Initiative, aims to bolster Akagera’s white rhino population to contribute more meaningfully to regional conservation efforts and reinforce Rwanda’s growing role in global rhino conservation efforts.
This translocation is the largest of its kind and was made possible through close collaboration between the Rwanda Development Board, African Parks, the Munywana Conservancy and teams of experts —demonstrating essential strategic collaboration in tackling such large-scale conservation challenges. The translocation was funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation while the Rob Walton Foundation and Pershing Square Foundation are the founder funders of the Rhino Rewild initiative.
The objective of the Rhino Rewild Initiative is to rewild over 2,000 rhino to safe, well-managed protected areas across the continent. This will ensure the establishment of several viable populations of southern white rhino, thereby de-risking the future of the species and playing an important role in restoring ecosystems.
In 2021, African Parks moved 30 southern white rhino to Akagera National Park. This initial population has increased to 41 animals today. Building on this success, the additional 70 animals will now play a crucial role in ensuring the presence of meta-populations across the continent, presenting opportunities for future range expansion.
To improve their ability to adapt to their new home, the rhino were initially moved within South Africa from the Rhino Rewild site to the Munywana Conservancy. The Munywana Conservancy is a collaboration of community and private landowners, including the Makhasa Community Trust, the Mnqobokazi Community Trust, andBeyond Phinda and ZUKA Private Game Reserves. This preliminary stage of rewilding exposed the rhino to naturally occurring diseases such as Trypanosomiasis and climatic conditions similar to Akagera. The final phase of the 3,400 km journey involved the rhino being transported by truck in individual steel crates from the Munywana Conservancy to King Shaka International Airport in Durban. They were then carefully loaded by cranes into a Boeing 747, flown to Kigali International Airport, and finally transported to Akagera National Park by road. The entire journey from the Conservancy to the Park took approximately two days for each of the two groups of rhino, with continuous monitoring of their well-being by veterinary teams.
Jean-Guy Afrika, CEO of the Rwanda Development Board:
“This historic translocation reflects Rwanda’s growing contribution to global conservation efforts. Our commitment to protecting endangered species is closely tied to our vision for sustainable tourism, where thriving wildlife and well-managed protected areas like Akagera National Park create long-term value for both visitors and communities. This milestone reinforces our dedication to strengthening Rwanda’s protected landscapes and enhancing the country’s appeal as a destination for conservation-based tourism. We thank our partners for their continued collaboration and shared commitment to safeguarding Africa’s natural heritage.”
Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks: “We greatly appreciate the Rwanda Government’s partnership and visionary conservation efforts, along with the invaluable support from The Howard G. Buffett Foundation, in making this translocation a reality. The arrival of these rhino to Akagera is just the beginning of this multifaceted, long term and complex conservation intervention. There are numerous risks that still remain, but with the safe arrival of all 70 animals, and with a dedicated Akagera park management team, they have a real opportunity to thrive. The coming months of intensive monitoring will be critical to ensuring the long-term adaptation of these rhino to their new home”.
Dale Wepener, Warden and Conservation Manager of the Munywana Conservancy: “Conservation collaborations like this rhino move are proving to be increasingly important in ensuring the survival of these special and threatened animals. We are proud to have been able to facilitate a part of this project as it directly embodies the ethos of the conservancy in expanding green frontiers and assisting in the establishment of new populations of species of conservation significance. The Munywana looks forward to long-lasting likeminded partnerships like these in caring for our planet.”
