By Obert Siamilandu
Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THE thundering footsteps of white rhinos once again echo across Gonarezhou National Park, marking the species’ return to the area after more than 100 years.
The five southern white rhinos, all sourced from the privately run Malilangwe Trust, were relocated to Gonarezhou between April and May this year as part of an effort to re-establish a viable white rhino population in the region.
According to a statement from the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, the goal was to restore an element of biodiversity long-lost to the ecosystem.
The trust said the reintroduction was aimed at establishing a new, viable meta-population of white rhino and creating a future for white rhinos in Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park.
White rhinos, once native to the Gonarezhou region, are believed to have disappeared from the park in the early 1900s, with isolated sightings continuing into the 1990s.
Although there were isolated records of individual white rhinos in Gonarezhou up to 1992, the last viable population of white rhino in Gonarezhou likely dates back to the early 1900s, before the species was completely extirpated from Zimbabwe.
Reintroduction of white rhinos to Zimbabwe began in the second half of the 20th century from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
However, unlike the black rhino, no known attempt was made to re-establish a viable population of white rhino in Gonarezhou until now, making this reintroduction all the more significant.
The relocation follows the 2021 reintroduction of black rhinos to the park and builds on infrastructure developed for that project.
Planning for the white rhino reintroduction began in 2023, with feasibility studies conducted to assess habitat suitability, security requirements and long-term monitoring protocols.
The five rhinos were selected based on social compatibility, age and sex. After immobilisation and transport, the animals were held temporarily in fenced acclimatisation pens before their release to secure zones within the park.
The Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a joint venture between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, worked in partnership with veterinarians, ecologists and logistical teams from the Malilangwe Trust.
The trust announced that the return of white rhinos to Gonarezhou is a historic milestone and the start of a new phase for both the species and the park.
“The return of white rhinos to Gonarezhou is a historic milestone, but it is only the beginning. Their release back to this wilderness marks the start of the next phase of the journey for them and Gonarezhou,” the trust said.
“Ensuring their protection and long-term survival will remain a key focus through ongoing intensive monitoring and security, collaboration with partners and the public.”
To safeguard the animals, Gonarezhou has increased security measures, including ranger patrols, aerial surveillance and real-time tracking technology.
Southern white rhinos are classified as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, with an estimated global population of around 13 000.
The species faces ongoing threats from poaching and habitat loss, particularly in southern Africa.
The park, Zimbabwe’s second-largest, spans over 5 000 square kilometres and borders Mozambique and South Africa.
Source: NewsDay
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