22/09/2024
Happy World Rhino Day! 🦏
On this special day, we celebrate the incredible journey of the rhinos at Akagera National Park and the dedication of all who work to protect them.
Between 1957 and 1958, six black rhinos were introduced to Akagera from Tanzania. Though their numbers initially grew to about 40, they faced severe threats from poaching, leading to their last confirmed sighting in 2007.
But hope was reignited in May 2017, when , in collaboration with , reintroduced 18 eastern black rhinos from South Africa. This monumental effort marked the beginning of restoring the species’ ecological role and the park’s status as part of the Big Five! 🦁🐘🐆
The story didn’t end there! In June 2019, the genetic diversity was bolstered with the successful translocation of five additional black rhinos from European zoos. And in 2021, the largest single translocation of rhinos ever conducted brought 30 white rhinos from South Africa to Akagera.
We’re thrilled to share that all the rhinos are thriving in their natural habitat, safe, secureand increasing. Thanks to the unwavering commitment of our rangers and trackers, there have been no poaching incidents since their reintroduction. The Akagera rhino population is not only growing but flourishing!
Remember, these magnificent creatures’ survival is a shared responsibility. This World Rhino Day serves as a crucial reminder for us all to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of the five incredible rhino species worldwide.
