Rwanda on Tuesday received 10 Eastern Black Rhinoceros from South Africa, officially sealing Akagera National Park’s ‘big five’ status, thus a boost to the tourism sector. This is the first batch of rhinos to arrive in the country with about 10 more expected over the next ten days.

The Eastern black rhinos, which weigh over on average about two tonnes each, arrived at Kigali International Airport aboard an Etihad Airways cargo plane.

The game animals were offloaded under the supervision of a team of veterinary doctors and immediately loaded onto trucks for the last leg of their journey to Akagera National Park.

The development was realized through a partnership between African Parks, a non-profit organization that manages national parks on behalf of governments, Rwanda Development Board and funding from Howard G. Buffett Foundation.

In the 1970s, estimates put the number of Black Rhinos in Akagera National Park at about 50 but their numbers declined largely due to poaching. The last sighting of rhinos in the country was in 2007.

In readiness for the rhinos, the park has since undergone transformation since African Parks assumed management in 2010.

Among the upgrades in readiness for the rhinos was establishment of an expertly-trained rhino tracking and protection team, a canine anti-poaching unit and the deployment of a helicopter for air surveillance.

Commenting on the development, RDB Chief Executive Clare Akamanzi said it will go a long way in boosting the tourism industry.

“The return of the rhinos to Rwanda’s Akagera National Park opens a new chapter in our conservation journey. We are fully prepared to welcome them and ensure their safety for the benefit of our tourism industry and the community at large,” she said.

Wildlife experts say that the return of the species is testimony to the country’s progress in conservation efforts.

African Parks chief executive Peter Fearnhead said that despite being a symbol of the continent, the species existence has been threatened due to extremely lucrative and illegal rhino horn trade.

“The return of rhinos to this country is a testament to Rwanda’s extraordinary commitment to conservation and is another milestone in the restoration of Akagera’s natural diversity,” Fearnhead said.

Howard G. Buffett, chairperson and chief executive of the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, termed the development as another milestone Rwanda’s emerging leadership on the continent in conservation, eco-tourism and good governance.

With fewer than 5,000 Black Rhinos surviving, experts estimate that there are only about 1,000 Eastern Black Rhinos remaining.

Credit: http://journalducameroun.com/