Rhino Translocation
Arriving all the way from South Africa and aboard a Lockheed Hercules C130 aircraft were thirty-two eastern black rhinos in the biggest moves of this kind ever.
The translocation witnessed by Tanzanian President, His Excellency Jakaya Kikwete among other high ranking government, diplomatic and corporate officials was a culmination of conservation efforts between Tanzania and South Africa spearheaded by collaboration between the Tanzanian Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), Tanzania National Parks (TANAPA), South Africa National Parks (SANParks), Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS), Singita-Grumeti Reserves (SGR) and a private donor. The event was supported by Bilila Lodge Kempinski jointly with Safari Plus, the new luxury airline in Tanzania.
The eastern black rhino is the most endangered of the three subspecies with fewer than 700 remaining and less than 70 in Tanzania. This reintroduction will bolster the transnational Serengeti-Mara population, making it the largest free-ranging population of the eastern black rhino in the world. These rhinos have been maintained as an isolated population since being moved to South Africa more than 30 years ago as one of the measures to preserve the species in the face of the poaching epidemic that saw black rhino numbers decrease by more than 90% from 65,000 to near extinction.
Guests witnessed the spectacular arrival of the giant creatures, one of the kings of the jungle in the famous ‘Big Five’ category parked in special crates. The rhinos are moved five at a time in large military transport aircraft after spending 6 weeks in bomas getting used to their transport crates.
Receiving the special ‘guests’ were some 107 field rangers specially trained by TANAPA and FZS in patrol tactics, firearms handling and black rhino monitoring. The training of the officers was aimed at ensuring the security of the Rhinos and Park at large. For a couple of weeks, rhinos will be habituated to the new browse in the Serengeti before being released and monitored closely by TANAPA rangers and ecologists.
The return of these rhinos to the Serengeti ensures that Tanzania’s status as a conservation leader and premier wildlife destination is maintained.
Special thanks to Mrs. Anne Clarke, wife of the Ambassador of the European Union to Tanzania for the event photos.
A big thank you to all those who initiated, supported and participated in this unforgettable event!
… to be continued…
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Some of the invited guests from Dar es Salaam on the way to Serengeti with Safari Plus.
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Ol Doinyo Lengai "Mountain of God"
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Passing Ngorongoro Crater
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On the way to Bilila Lodge Kempinski
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Migration is already around
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First one of the Big Five
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Rare site of a Leopard
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Are we going to see the Big Five altogether today?
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The Big arrival
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Door Opening
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Spot On
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Heavy weights to transport
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Offloading Starts
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Offloading
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Offloading
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Offloading
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His Excellency, President Jakaya Kikwete looks already forward to welcoming the big arrival
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Return way above the clouds with the sunset on Safari Plus.
Comments
Now even the Rhino’s fly business class…
Fabulous news, hope to see them next time I’ll get there.
A house is just a place to keep your stuff while you go out and get more stuff.
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Been there, seen in, really nice
So many wonders in the world…
Serengeti Shall Never Die!
This detailed story of translocation of rhino is attracting me very much. The common truths prevails in location is glassed in this. Thanks for saving the natural wealth
Some fantastic snaps of the Ngorongoro Crater from the plane window there!
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We are very eager to see the number of Rhinos grow at Serengeti National park . http://www.safaris-intanzania.com/
Africa as a continent is so amazing,its beauty is worth visiting.The rhinos are also exciting creatures to see in their natural setting.The pictures show how the tourists were all excited about this great adventure.The big five are a must see in Africa.Thanks for the information.Safaris in Tanzania
Page #5 shows a wildebeast group completely desoriented…Just lately I have been informed by trustful sources that Bilila Lodge Kempinski, erected in the heart of the Serengeti, blocks the migration path due to its extensive construction which obviuosly doesn’t belong there… Furthermore, for those who ignore it, Jakaya Kikwete has a substantial stake in the lodge revenues due to have grant permission for its construction in the first place… Not suprinsingly Kikwete personally opened the lodge on 26 May 2010. This action clearly shows the aim of the Tanzanian Govt. to convert the Serengeti into a theme park, like Kruger Nat. Park in South Africa, so as to please the rich and all duly paved and organized… But Nature, as God or Love, can’t be paved… Because it’s antipolitical by its own definition, otherwise we are all going to suffer the revenge in form of floods, erosion, desertification, famine, and the death of the wildlife…
If there are places that fascinates much as Tanzania, then yo need to take a second visit. So much beauty here!
Tanzania Safari Holidays
There is more than just the pictures you are seeing here! Come and experience every thing from Tanzania by your self
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