Gonarezhou National Park has welcomed the return of white rhinos for the first time in nearly 100 years, marking a significant conservation milestone for Zimbabwe.
The reintroduction is the result of work by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a collaborative effort between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society with support from the government of Zimbabwe, the Malilangwe Trust and other donor partners.
The operation, completed in April and May, follows the successful reintroduction of black rhinos in 2021 and included detailed planning beginning in 2023. Activities included feasibility studies, habitat assessments, sourcing founder individuals and planning post-release monitoring protocols.
The process involved:
- Selection of rhinos based on age, sex and social grouping
- Safe immobilisation and transport
- Temporary placement in holding pens
- Final release into the park
- Post-release monitoring and security operations
While there were sporadic sightings of white rhino in Gonarezhou up to 1992, the last viable population likely disappeared in the early 1900s.
The Malilangwe Trust donated the founder animals and supported the operation with logistical, scientific and technical assistance. Independent veterinarians, pilots and animal handlers also played key roles.
The white rhino return is considered the start of a long-term plan to establish a viable metapopulation in Gonarezhou. Continued monitoring, protection and collaboration will form the next phase of work.
