In a significant conservation operation, 20 black rhinos have been successfully translocated from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, to Botswana. The cross-border operation, which involved two 36-hour road trips, was carried out by WWF South Africa's Black Rhino Range Expansion Programme (BRREP) in early September. The rhinos were relocated to a remote and secure location, where they can breed and establish a new population. This effort aims to support the recovery of the black rhino population in the region.
The translocation effectively doubles Botswana's black rhino population, which had dwindled to about 25 individuals due to years of poaching pressure, particularly in the Okavango Delta region. The rhinos were captured in KwaZulu-Natal in early June and held in a boma during a quarantine period before being transported to their new home. According to BRREP leader Jeff Cooke, all 20 animals have arrived safely and are settling in well. This operation marks a crucial milestone in the conservation of black rhinos in the region.
The Botswana operation is only the second cross-border translocation undertaken by BRREP. The first took place in 2019, when rhinos were moved to Liwonde National Park in Malawi. Since 2003, the programme has moved groups of up to 20 rhinos to suitable areas to help re-establish populations. BRREP targets areas of about 20,000 hectares or more to provide sufficient space for populations to grow. This approach has been instrumental in supporting the recovery of black rhino populations in various range states.
Finding areas large enough with suitable habitat for black rhinos is becoming increasingly difficult, prompting BRREP to expand its operations across national borders. According to Cooke, these newly translocated populations serve as incubators for the broader continental species recovery programme. They could support further local range expansion in other black rhino range states, contributing to the long-term conservation of the species.
WWF South Africa CEO Dr Morné du Plessis expressed gratitude to the South African and Botswanan governments, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, funding and donor partners, and the recipient site owners for their role in the operation. The organisation emphasised that the initiative demonstrates the value of collaboration and coordinated conservation efforts in supporting black rhino population recovery. This translocation is a testament to the impact that collective action can have on conservation.
The translocation of the 20 black rhinos to Botswana is a significant step towards ensuring the long-term survival of the species. BRREP's efforts have been instrumental in supporting the recovery of black rhino populations in various range states. The programme's approach, which involves relocating rhinos to secure and suitable areas, has been successful in establishing new populations and supporting the growth of existing ones.
The conservation of black rhinos remains a pressing concern, with poaching and habitat loss continuing to threaten the species. However, initiatives like the BRREP translocation programme offer hope for the future of black rhinos in the region. With continued collaboration and coordinated conservation efforts, it is possible to protect and recover black rhino populations, ensuring the long-term survival of this iconic species.
Key points
- The translocation doubles Botswana's black rhino population.
- BRREP has moved groups of up to 20 rhinos to suitable areas since 2003.
- The programme targets areas of about 20,000 hectares or more to provide sufficient space for populations to grow.
