inspiration
A century
lost.
A future
bravely reclaimed.
This win-win scenario achieved the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust’s objective to preserve both rhino species and, with a suitable habitat for both, it made sense to build on the investment made into the protection of the black rhinos and grow a white rhino population too – restoring an element of biodiversity that was previously lost to the park. A different animal: While the operational and security infrastructure was already in place, this was by no means a simple cut-and-paste. Firstly, it was much larger – the 2021 rhino translocation involved 10 black rhinos from Malilangwe, while the 2025 translocation involved 30 white rhinos. “Black and white rhino translocations are managed differently. As a species, black rhinos are easier to manage under tranquilisation, and they settle relatively quickly into individual pens. In contrast, managing white rhino translocations can be more challenging because this species
is particularly sensitive to immobilising drugs. Unlike black rhinos, white rhinos prefer communal transition pens, but these large, shared areas make it difficult to protect small or subordinate individuals from their fellows during the settling period,” says Sarah. The sensitivity of the operation and the species, and the high stakes involved, necessitated thoroughness. Source populations were studied, and reintroduction methods and post-release monitoring procedures were carefully considered. The operation was then completed between April and May 2025. Says Simon Capon from the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust: “For Gonarezhou, the most rewarding aspect has been to be able to bring white rhinos back to the park after so long. The journey isn’t over, though – the rhinos are now in Gonarezhou, but there is still a lot of work to do to protect them and continue to grow and develop the project.”
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