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Eastern black rhinos return to Rwanda after decade-long absence

Xinhua, May 2, 2017 Adjust font size:

Rwanda on Tuesday received ten eastern black rhinos from South Africa after the last individual was documented in the country a decade ago, the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) said.

The first batch of ten rhinos was re-introduced to Akagera National Park in eastern Rwanda, RDB said in a statement, adding that the translocation of total 20 such rhinos is expected to be completed over the first two weeks of May.

The reintroduction is being done by the RDB and African Parks, a South Africa-based non-profit organization which manages Akagera National Park in partnership with the RDB.

"The return of the rhinos to Rwanda's Akagera National Park opens a new chapter in our conservation journey and we are grateful to all our partners that contributed to this achievement. We are fully prepared to welcome them and ensure their safety for the benefit of our tourism industry and the community at large," said RDB CEO Clare Akamanzi.

The reintroduction of rhinos has solidified Akagera's Big Five status, a classification that would boost tourism growth and generate further employment opportunities for local communities, said according to RDB.

"Rhinos are one of the great symbols of Africa yet they are severely threatened and are on the decline in many places across the continent due to the extremely lucrative and illegal rhino horn trade," said African Parks CEO Peter Fearnhead.

"The rhino's return to this country however is a testament to Rwanda's extraordinary commitment to conservation and is another milestone in the restoration of Akagera's natural diversity," Fearnhead said.

Back in the 1970s, more than 50 black rhinos thrived in Akagera National Park, but the number declined under the pressure of wide-scale poaching until the last confirmed sighting of the species in 2007, according to the RDB.

Akagera National Park is Rwanda's only protected savannah region with a wide range of animals including buffalos, elephants, zebras, giraffes, hippos and antelopes. Enditem