Nine white rhinos arrive in Mozambique (VIDEO)

The addition brings the park’s total population to 39

Mozambique’s Zinave National Park has received nine female white rhinos from South Africa in a major conservation operation aimed at restoring the species more than 40 years after its local extinction, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) has reported.

The relocation was carried out by ANAC, the Peace Parks Foundation and Exxaro Resources, with support from the South African authorities. 

The restoration of the ecological system of the park started in 2022, “with the reintroduction of the first rhinos,” park administrator Antonio Abacar said.  

Abacar noted the transfer strengthens efforts to restore biodiversity and further reinforces Zinave’s position as Mozambique’s only national park home to the Big Five – the lion, elephant, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros. 

The arrival of the animals increases Zinave’s white rhino population to 39. The park is also home to 22 black rhinos, with both species now breeding in the reserve. 

“By returning the white rhinos to Zinave, we are not only guaranteeing the future of a keystone species, but also restoring the balance of ecosystems and creating investment opportunities in the wildlife economy,” Pejul Calenga, ANAC Director-General, said as quoted by AIM. 

Zinave National Park, established in 1973 in Mozambique’s southeastern Inhambane Province along the southern bank of the Save River, spans about 4,000 square kilometers and forms part of the Great Limpopo Transfrontier Conservation Area linking protected ecosystems across Mozambique, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. 

Other African countries have also been working to restore rhino populations lost to poaching. In April, Uganda began reintroducing southern white rhinos to Kidepo Valley National Park, 43 years after the species was wiped out there. The first two animals were moved from Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary as part of a phased plan to relocate eight rhinos, according to the Uganda Wildlife Authority. 

READ MORE: Rhinos back in African park for first time after 40 years (PHOTOS, VIDEO)

In December, Kenya opened the world’s largest rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West National Park, bringing together around 200 black rhinos in a protected area of more than 3,200 square kilometers.