In early June, Akagera National Park received a warm welcome of 70 southern white rhinos, becoming one of the largest single rhino translocations in history. The operation, which ran from June 5th to 9th, marks a bold step forward in Rwanda’s growing role in global wildlife conservation.
This new group of rhinos joins several other 30 individuals first introduced to Akagera in 2021, and this number has grown to 41 individuals, says Ladslas Ndahiriwe, Akagera National Park manager, bringing the total population to 111. As an endangered species facing critical disasters and threats in the jungle, southern white rhinos benefit immensely from very protected environments like Akagera, where they usually live and breed under close and tight supervision.
The translocation was a massive undertaking. In Coordination with local and international conservation experts, the effort involved specialized equipment, veterinary care, and weeks of logistical preparation. The rhinos were carefully moved to ensure minimal stress and maximum safety; each one was monitored and taken care of closely throughout the journey.
This operation marks the ninth wildlife introduction or reintroduction in Akagera’s 91-year history, reimagining the park’s importance in regional and global conservation and its policy. Once ravaged by conflict and poaching, Akagera has been steadily reborn and built through community engagement, strong governance, and strategic partnerships.
“The amount of detail that goes into this project is incredible. We catch the rhino that we need; once the animals have been caught, we start the permit application to get permission to move them. So we catch the animals and measure them, then design crates to fit the rhino, and after all, we look for the aircraft that all those crates will fit into,” Martin Rickelton from African Parks.
“It’s been a privilege being part of five of these complex and demanding progressions,” said one conservationist involved in the process. “Each one is a reminder of what’s possible when people work together for a greater cause.”
The success of translocation not only boosts the rhino population; it also strengthens Akagera’s position as a vital stronghold for biodiversity in Africa. With each operation, the park becomes a beacon and sign of hope for species that are almost on the edge of extinction.
