Four black rhinos translocated to Zululand game reserve
The translocation formed part of WWF's Black Rhino Range Expansion Project
In a bid to preserve black rhino genetics on smaller game reserves, four males of the species were recently successfully relocated from inland KZN to a Zululand reserve.
The animals were translocated from Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s Weenen and Ithala game reserves in an operation which formed part of WWF’s (World Wildlife Fund) Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.
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The project has so far successfully created 13 new black rhino populations in South Africa.
Apart from genetic preservation, the four bulls were specifically selected to prevent conflict between bulls, and to expand the overall range of the species.
Led by Ezemvelo’s Game Capture unit, the four bulls were safely darted, dehorned and transported.
Each rhino was fitted with a tracking collar by Wildlife ACT, to enable post-release monitoring.
About black rhino
According to the WWF, the black rhinoceros is critically endangered, with a population of around 5 500 across Africa.
Black rhino populations dropped dramatically in the 20th Century, plummeting by an astounding 98%, to fewer than 2 500, between 1960 and 1995 alone.
The species has subsequently made a tremendous comeback, thanks to persistent conservation efforts.
There is still much work to be done to prevent future decline through poaching and the illegal trade of rhino horn.
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