WWF Move Rhinos to Safety in South Africa
WWF charity officials have recently seen the transportation of 13 endangered black rhinos to new areas of South Africa to encourage rapid breeding. The Black Rhino Expansion Project, which has been running for nearly a decade, has now created 8 new black rhino populations in the areas of KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo.
This groundbreaking work is imperative to the long term future of this species of rhino. A staggering total of 430 rhinos that have been killed in South Africa this year alone, with poachers selling the rhino horn on the black market to countries in Asia, particularly Vietnam. They lost their last rhino two years ago, and now rely on the South African poachers to fulfill their unnecessary need for this product for ‘medicinal use’.
As you can imagine, moving rhinos is now easy task, and requires a skilled team of specialists to ensure the animals deal with as little stress as possible during their transition. The rhinos are tranquillised, then airlifted via helpicopter by their ankles to new areas to live and repopulate. The new home to these rhinos is over 160,000 hectares in size, so here’s hoping that their number will increase and that poaching can be stopped before it’s too late.
Head of the Black Rhino Expansion Project, Dr Jacques Flamand, said –
More than 130 black rhino have been moved to new homes, while over 40 calves have been born on project sites. We believe this is the best way to move rhinos as it does not compromise their breathing and reduces the distance and time they have to travel by truck over difficult terrain. While indications are that it does not harm the animals, we want to be absolutely sure. People have caused the decline in rhino numbers and, as people, it is up to us to reverse the trend. If we do nothing, they will disappear and I’d hate for that tragedy to happen in my lifetime.
The local government has sent out a strong message to those involved in this diabolical trade, when a major player in the rhino horn trade was sentenced to 40 years in prison. Here’s hoping that this long stint behind bars will put off other people who deal in the illegal wildlife trade, but unfortunately many don’t see these beautiful creatures as an endangered species, only dollar signs.
If you would like to learn more about the amazing work WWF carry out across the globe, or would even like to adopt a black rhino, check out our dedicated charity page for more information on how you can help their fight to save the world’s most endangered animals.