Botswana is to become new home to dozens of rhinoceros from South Africa following the country’s decision to evacuate hundreds of the animals from its flagship reserve, Kruger National Park to safer places within South Africa and other countries with robust conservation systems.
In a recent story about the translocation, City Press quotes South Africa’s Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, as confirming her country’s intent.
“South Africa is considering a range of rhino strongholds, inclusive of national parks, provincial reserves, communal areas and private reserves…Part of the translocation will include the Southern African Development Community…We have already started discussions with Botswana, we are working with Zambia, we are working with other countries, but more intensely those two in particular,” she said. The paper also quotes South African National Parks’ large mammal ecologist Sam Ferreira as saying up to 500 rhino could be evacuated.
“If you want to give rhino a chance, you remove them from places where they have a high probability of being killed,” quotes City Press.
The Kruger National Park is estimated to have nearly 10,000 rhinos, having initially received 350 from Kwazulu-Natal in the 60’s.
Botswana’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Wildlife and National Parks Neil Fitt confirmed South Africa had approached them seeking refuge for the animals.
“However, they have not finalised when and how many they will translocate to Botswana, but we understand most of the animals will be moved to different places within South Africa,” he said.
Fitt said notwithstanding the high cost of translocating such big mammals as rhino, Botswana was “very prepared” to receive the animals and hopes South Africa would send “a lot”.
For many years, Botswana has ensured a robust conservation system that brings together its various security organs and has to a great extent managed to keep poachers of especially large mammals such as elephant and rhino at bay.
Further collaborative efforts between government and conservation groups have ensured the success of the re-introduction of black and white rhino in Botswana. The efforts followed a1992 survey that showed only 19 white rhino remained, while the black rhino was classified as “locally extinct” in Botswana.
In a recent story about the translocation, City Press quotes South Africa’s Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, as confirming her country’s intent.
“South Africa is considering a range of rhino strongholds, inclusive of national parks, provincial reserves, communal areas and private reserves…Part of the translocation will include the Southern African Development Community…We have already started discussions with Botswana, we are working with Zambia, we are working with other countries, but more intensely those two in particular,” she said. The paper also quotes South African National Parks’ large mammal ecologist Sam Ferreira as saying up to 500 rhino could be evacuated.
“If you want to give rhino a chance, you remove them from places where they have a high probability of being killed,” quotes City Press.
The Kruger National Park is estimated to have nearly 10,000 rhinos, having initially received 350 from Kwazulu-Natal in the 60’s.
Botswana’s Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment Wildlife and National Parks Neil Fitt confirmed South Africa had approached them seeking refuge for the animals.
“However, they have not finalised when and how many they will translocate to Botswana, but we understand most of the animals will be moved to different places within South Africa,” he said.
Fitt said notwithstanding the high cost of translocating such big mammals as rhino, Botswana was “very prepared” to receive the animals and hopes South Africa would send “a lot”.
For many years, Botswana has ensured a robust conservation system that brings together its various security organs and has to a great extent managed to keep poachers of especially large mammals such as elephant and rhino at bay.
Further collaborative efforts between government and conservation groups have ensured the success of the re-introduction of black and white rhino in Botswana. The efforts followed a1992 survey that showed only 19 white rhino remained, while the black rhino was classified as “locally extinct” in Botswana.
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