The eastern black rhino population in Rwanda’s Akagera National Park has expanded with the arrival of five new rhinos from European zoos. This is the largest translocation of rhinos from Europe to Africa. The move is part of a major international collaboration overseen by Chester Zoo’s conservationists.

Mark Pilgrim, Chester Zoo CEO, who manages the population of eastern black rhinos across Europe, said: “This is a historic moment for eastern black rhino conservation. Black rhino populations have dropped by more than 95% in Africa over the past 100 years due to a global surge in illegal poaching for their horns. Just 12 years ago, they completely disappeared in Rwanda where they were declared extinct.”

The historic translocation was undertaken by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and African Parks, which manages Akagera National Park in partnership with the RDB.

Two male and three female rhinos were released into bomas (temporary enclosures) in Akagera with the aim of increasing the genetic diversity of the park’s rhino population and aiding efforts to restore the critically endangered sub-species in Rwanda and the region.

Jes Gruner, Park Manager at Akagera National Park, said: “This unique achievement represents the culmination of an unprecedented international effort to improve the survival prospects of a critically endangered rhino sub-species in the wild. Their arrival also marks an important step in Akagera’s ongoing revitalisation and one that underscores the country’s commitment to conservation.”

From Safari Park Dvůr Králové in Czech Republic, Flamingo Land in the UK and Ree Park Safari in Denmark, the rhinos were selected from the EAZA Ex Situ Programme (EEP) for eastern black rhinos, managed by conservationists at Chester Zoo. One of the rhinos, “Mandela”, is the offspring of “Bashira” who was born in the Chester Zoo breeding programme.

The five rhinos began their journey from the Czech Republic after months of preparation at Safari Park Dvůr Králové. Every precaution was taken to minimise stress and ensure their well-being throughout the translocation process. From their flight to Kigali, they were transferred to Akagera National Park by truck.

All the rhinos will remain in the bomas for at least three weeks to acclimatise to their new environment.

Clare Akamanzi, CEO of the RDB, said: “We are committed to the long-term success of eastern black rhinos in Rwanda – their health and well-being is crucial to wildlife conservation and biodiversity protection efforts in Rwanda and across Africa. We couldn’t be prouder of the strong community-led conservation efforts that make their new home. Tourists visiting Akagera National Park will witness a truly wonderful sight: the eastern black rhino in its natural habitat.”

The long-term viability and genetic health of Rwanda’s eastern black rhino population requires introduction of additional animals.

Thomas Kauffels, Chair of the EAZA, said: “The success of the EEP has enabled us to supplement natural populations of rhinos in Africa. Modern zoos are a key part of the conservation landscape. Our collaboration with Akagera National Park and the RDB demonstrates how zoos can contribute directly to the conservation and recovery of endangered species in protected landscapes.”

Extensive security measures have been implemented to ensure the long-term safety and well-being of Akagera’s rhinos.

Black rhinos are considered critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as less than 5 000 black rhinos remain across their range in the wild – of these, approximately 1 000 are the critically endangered eastern black sub-species.