18 South African white rhinos get safe abode in Tanzania

Ngorongoro. Tanzania has taken a significant step in wildlife conservation with the arrival of 18 white rhinos from South Africa, marking the first phase of a larger initiative to bolster the country’s rhino population. 

The rhinos, received at the Ngorongoro Crater on Tuesday, 4 March 2025, form part of a total of 36 white rhinos that will be introduced in phases.

This project aims to enhance conservation, research, and education while contributing to global efforts to protect the species. 

Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism, Dr Pindi Chana, said the initiative was testament to Tanzania’s commitment to international conservation partnerships.

“This is part of our global collaboration in wildlife conservation and protection. That is why Tanzania has also participated in translocating animals abroad, such as elephants to India and peacocks to Kenya,” she said. 

Dr Chana said that Tanzania has made significant strides in conservation, resulting in a growing population of endangered species, including rhinos. 

“The success of our conservation efforts has played a crucial role in achieving our tourism targets. So far, we have welcomed 5.3 million tourists, surpassing our initial goal of five million,” she stated.

She said that Tanzania aims to generate $6 billion in tourism revenue by the end of this year, having already reached $3.6 billion.

Dr Chana called upon experts from both South Africa and Tanzania to collaborate in ensuring the rhinos’ welfare, enabling them to thrive and contribute to conservation objectives.

Traditional leader of the Makhasa community and board member of iSimangaliso in South Africa, Mr iNkosi Gumede Zwelinzima, said that relocating the rhinos to Tanzania was a strategic measure to safeguard them from rampant poaching in South Africa.

“As you know, South Africa has the largest population of rhinos in Africa, but persistent poaching has put them at great risk. That is why we have started relocating them to countries such as Botswana, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and now Tanzania,” he said. 

South Africa has experienced a severe poaching crisis since 2008, resulting in the loss of over 10,000 rhinos by 2023.

“Despite these challenges, we have successfully increased the white rhino population through dedicated conservation efforts. This stability has allowed us to relocate rhinos to other regions to ensure the species’ survival,” he added.

He noted that extensive research had confirmed that the Ngorongoro ecosystem provides a suitable habitat for the white rhinos’ survival and growth.

The initiative aims to establish a breeding population of rhinos in Tanzania, which will eventually help boost rhino numbers in other protected areas across the country. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) Commissioner for Conservation, Dr Elirehema Doriye, said the translocation project would enhance conservation, research, and education, providing long-term benefits for future generations. 

The Director of Research at the Tanzania Wildlife Research Institute (Tawiri), Dr Julius Keyyu, said that rigorous environmental, climatic, and disease risk assessments had been conducted ahead of the rhinos’ arrival. 

Findings confirmed that the Ngorongoro environment is well-suited for them.

“These animals are grazers, and their primary threat comes from poaching. Fortunately, tsetse flies are absent in this area, which increases their chances of survival and successful breeding,” he explained. 

He said that if the project proves successful, the rhinos could later be introduced to other reserves, including Mikumi and Burigi-Chato, which also offer favourable conditions.

Chairman of the NCAA Board of Directors, Retired General Venance Mabeyo, assured that board members would closely monitor the project, providing ongoing oversight to ensure the rhinos’ protection and well-being.