An innovative collaboration between a South African wildlife conservancy, its safari industry members and partner communities has supported the introduction of white rhino from South Africa to Tanzania through a partnership with Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT), as well as the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA).
Facilitated by luxury safari company &Beyond, the project is aimed at translocating southern white rhino donated by the Munywana Conservancy in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal Province to the Ngorongoro Crater,
The Munywana Conservancy is a collaboration of private and community landowners that include &Beyond Phinda Private Game Reserve, as well as Zuka Private Game Reserve, Makhasa Community Trust and others.
“For over thirty years &Beyond has actively supported the conservation of endangered species like white rhino through collaborative and often ground-breaking wildlife translocations,” says Tony Adams, &Beyond Conservation & Community Impact Director.
“We are honoured to have been invited by Tanzania’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism to facilitate the sourcing and translocation of the animals for this groundbreaking project. Initiatives such as these are a proven conservation strategy in ensuring the survival of endangered species such as white rhino, which are increasingly threatened in their historical habitat in Southern Africa.”
The translocation is an important step towards the Tanzanian government’s long-term goal of establishing viable, genetically diverse breeding populations of the species in the country. The NCA has been identified as the ideal initial implementation area thanks to multiple factors, including habitat type and the existing security measures already in place. The translocation is one of several that will be taking place in a phased manner, with the ultimate goal being 36 donated white rhino.
“While we are aware that the Ngorongoro Crater is not part of the historic range for southern white rhino, we believe that the current project falls within the conservation strategy described as ‘assisted colonisation’ in terms of the guidelines laid down by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN),” explains Munywana Warden, Dale Wepener. “This occurs when a species that is under pressure in its natural habitat is intentionally moved and introduced to an area outside its historical range with the view of ensuring the survival of that species.”
Head of Tourism Marketing for the UK, Tim Henshall commented, "This is an exciting development and further increases the tourism potential of the region, whilst more importantly erving to protect this iconic species".
Documented research has shown that white rhino populations can grow rapidly when put in a suitable habitat and afforded effective reserve management and protection. Assessments carried out and shared by Tanzania's Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism support Ngorongoro Crater as such a habitat. It is the intention of the MNRT to create a breeding founder population that will one day serve as a source population for the introduction of southern white rhino to other protected areas in Tanzania and reintroduction to their former historic ranges in Africa.
The factors taken into consideration include extensive habitat surveys of ecological requirements such as grazing capacity, and adequate water and security. Security and management effectiveness assessments carried out showed that there is adequate capacity, resources and infrastructure to protect the rhino. The NCAA has a solid track record of protecting and securing the globally significant population of critically endangered black rhino that already exists in the area.
“Wildlife translocations always involve a certain element of risk. However, the research and preparations done by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism, working with the NCAA, as well as the professionalism of the translocation teams, has kept this risk as low as possible,” adds Wepener.
“We are especially proud that, as members of the Munywana Conservancy, we have been able to contribute towards the success of conservation in other parts of Africa,” comments Makhasa Community Trust Chairman Thokozani Mlambo. “Having experienced both the economic and environmental benefits that can come through wildlife management, we are thrilled to have had the opportunity to be part of a project to boost both of these in another part of our continent.”
The animals were flown to Tanzania and released into temporary bomas in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Here they will undergo a period of habituation before being released into their new habitat. The animals were accompanied by a team of translocation and veterinary specialists throughout this time. Post-release monitoring and management is key to the project and, while &Beyond will be providing guidance and advice, this will be carried out by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority. A number of rhino have been fitted with high-tech tracking devices and the protective measures already in place for the management of the Crater’s black rhino have been extended to the new population.
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&BEYOND
Established in 1991, &Beyond strives to leave our world a better place through the delivery of extraordinary guest experiences and our care of land, wildlife and people. We are a bespoke tour operator for sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, South America and Antarctica. We also own and manage 29 lodges and camps across 3 continents, as well as a luxury expedition yacht. Together with our long-standing community and conservation development partner, Wild Impact (previously known as Africa Foundation), we positively impact 75 communities and directly conserve our footprint of 1 million acres. Our aligned 2030 vision is to scale our impact through partnerships to support the conservation of an associated 40 million acres of key biospheres and to double our 2020 impact investment, while offering discerning travellers a rare and authentic experience of the world as it should be.
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND TOURISM (MNRT)
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) of the United Republic of Tanzania, is responsible for the management of Natural, Cultural and Tourism resources. In terms of wildlife, the present network of wildlife Protected Areas (PAs) in Tanzania is comprised of 14 National Parks, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA), 38 Game Reserves and 43 Game Controlled Areas.
NGORONGORO CONSERVATION AREA AUTHORITY (NCAA)
The Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) is a well-established entity under the Tanzanian government, dedicated to the effective management of the Ngorongoro Conservation Area (NCA). Gazetted in 1959, this area is a multiple land-use system which combines both human economic development and wildlife conservation, and forms part of the Serengeti ecosystem. The NCA's rich biodiversity of five habitats supports a wealth of wildlife and includes a significant population of eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli).
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