SA sends 10 critically endangered black rhinos to Mozambique
The rhinos, including five males and five females, were donated by South Africa's provincial conservation entity, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, in collaboration with Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas and Peace Parks Foundation.
The translocation was made possible through funding from the United Kingdom's People's Postcode Lottery.
By reintroducing wildlife to areas where the species once thrived, biodiversity is restored. The preservation of natural ecosystems is one of the most effective tools in mitigating climate change. Through the creation of ecosystem 'carbon sinks', these ecosystems can increase global carbon uptake by up to 12 times.
With 37 rhinos already introduced and thriving, this initiative aims to enhance biodiversity and reinforce the park as Mozambique's only 'big five' national park, setting a new standard for wildlife conservation and ecological restoration.
Peace Parks Foundation approached Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife for a donation of black rhinos to boost the numbers to form a viable breeding population of black rhinos in Mozambique.
An agreement was reached on the ten rhinos sourced from Ithala Game Reserve and Ezemvelo's three Black Rhino Range Expansion Project. The rhinos were initially relocated to Hluhluwe iMfolozi Park, where they were housed in specially prepared holding facilities in preparation for the 48-hour journey to Zinave.
The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George, described this as a significant conservation success.
Goerge commended the Government of Mozambique and its co-management partner, Peace Parks Foundation, on achieving this important milestone, noting that establishing new founder populations is one of many critical interventions to secure the future of these species.
'South Africa's successes in rhino conservation and the implementation of anti-poaching and anti-trafficking efforts have stabilised its rhino populations, thereby placing the country in a position as a source of rhino for range states in Africa which have either lost many or all of their rhino and wish to re-establish populations or augment current populations, as is the case with this translocation.
'The export and import of these valuable black rhinos have been done in compliance with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora's legislation of both countries,' the Minister said yesterday.
To ensure successful translocation and compliance with all the required permits, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment management inspectors (MIs) and officials from the Border Management Authority played a crucial role during the loading and endorsement of Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) permits at the ports of exit.
During the loading this week, the departmental MIs ensured that all the allocated microchip numbers, as prescribed in the CITES permits, correspond with those inserted in the live rhino.
The first rhinos were successfully translocated from South Africa to Zinave National Park in 2022, in the longest road transfer of rhinos ever undertaken.
This initiative, the result of a partnership between Mozambique's National Administration for Conservation Areas and Peace Parks Foundation, marked the beginning of Mozambique's efforts to rebuild founder white and black rhino populations as part of a national conservation initiative to reintroduce rhinos in the country.
In 2023, Peace Parks received a funding award of £800 000 (approximately R18 720 000) raised by players of the UK People's Postcode Lottery towards the translocation of ten more black rhinos to Zinave, which enabled this critical next phase in rhino rewilding.
'Supporting the rewilding of critically endangered species like the black rhino is at the heart of what we believe in – creating lasting impact for people and planet. I am delighted that players of People's Postcode Lottery have been able to support Peace Parks Foundation.
'This historic translocation to Zinave National Park simply wouldn't have happened without player-raised funding. It's a powerful example of what we can achieve when we come together across borders to restore nature and protect our shared future,' MD of UK People's Postcode Lottery, Clara Govier said. – SAnews.gov.za
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The Citizen
5 days ago
- The Citizen
Conservation organisation helps deliver drinking water to thirsty KZN communities
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Daily Maverick
16-07-2025
- Daily Maverick
Tackling a tall story — a myopic focus on trophy hunting harms real giraffe conservation
The gentle giraffe faces multiple threats across Africa. Foremost of these are habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation, poaching and climate change. Notably absent from the list of existential threats is legal trophy hunting. In response to Daily Maverick's Don Pinnock, a group of non-hunting conservationists explains how giraffe hunting can have positive outcomes for giraffe conservation. The media can contribute positively to the conservation of all giraffe and other species by spotlighting issues that need greater public awareness and support. As government budgets for global conservation spending are cut or spent on other sectors, local and international conservation organisations increasingly rely on public donations to keep working. But when the media spotlight is used to mislead the public regarding the real threats that animals face, it deflects critical awareness and funding away from dealing with them. That would be bad enough. 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IOL News
16-07-2025
- IOL News
South Africa launches ambitious campaign to save its dwindling rhino population
The Rhino Renaissance Campaign launch is one of South Africa's G20 Legacy Projects. It aims to rebuild the white rhino population in Kruger National Park (KNP) from just over 2,000 to 12,000 within the next decade. Image: File South Africa is the custodian of more than 80% of the continent's white rhino population, which is at risk from poaching and a dwindling population. Dr Dion George, MP and minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE), remarked on Tuesday at the Rhino Renaissance Campaign launch. The campaign, one of South Africa's G20 Legacy Projects, aims to rebuild the white rhino population in the Kruger National Park (KNP) from just over 2,000 to 12,000 within the next decade. Annual statistics revealed that 195 rhinos had been poached across South Africa by June 2025, a reduction of 35 compared to the same period in 2024. In KNP, 11 rhinos were killed in both May and June, down from 17 in January and 30 in February 2025. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 'Once nearly extinct, the white rhino population stood at fewer than 100 individuals in the early 20th century. But South Africa acted. Through protected areas, community partnerships, and the hard work of rangers and conservationists, the species was brought back from the brink. By 2010, there were more than 20,000 white rhinos,' George said. The KNP is home to over 12,000 rhinos — an unmatched feat in global conservation. But since then, the tide has turned. 'As of 2024, the population has dropped to 14,389 nationwide. In Kruger, just over 2,000 remain. A significant part of the issue involves poaching and the trafficking of rhino horn, driven by organised crime and profit,' George warned. He said that the campaign led by the South African National Parks (SANParks) is a direct response to poaching and illegal rhino horn trade. 'It brings together SANParks' conservation authority with the Tracker Academy, part of the Peace Parks Foundation, whose work in training local trackers in ancestral skills is redefining what it means to protect wildlife,' George said. He also mentioned the Good Work Foundation, a non-profit transforming education for thousands of learners in the villages around Kruger through digital learning, conservation coding, and storytelling. He said that 90 rhino monitors will be trained and deployed annually across KNP. 'The Rhino Renaissance Campaign is a vital part of this effort. It supports our vision of a Fair Industry for Lions, Leopards, Elephants, and Rhinos — a future where these species are not only protected but thrive alongside the people who live among them,' George said. Other plans include: African Parks has relocated 2,000 rhinos to safe havens across the country. Munyawana Conservancy and others are growing populations through rewilding. Cross-border work is under way in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and across the Greater Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area. Safe havens have been identified in Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Botswana. Collaboration between the government and private wildlife owners in our Integrated Wildlife Zones has been enhanced. Pam Yako, SANParks Board chairperson, said rhinos are a species of global significance, and the campaign was a partnership with various stakeholders. 'We want to showcase our efforts and how best we can, with the help of everyone else, build a whole movement for the conservation of the species,' she said.
