The year 2017 started things right when the Akagera National Park in Rwanda announced that they would be reintroducing black rhinos back to the wild. The Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs committed €200,000 to the rhino project in the park with the vision to see 'black rhinos restored not just to a park, but to an entire country.'
In the early 80's, the animals were considered extinct due to excessive poaching by hunters. About 50 rhinos were last seen in the Akagera National Park in 2007. Ten years later, the Dutch Ministry, African Parks and Rwandan Development Board are taking steps to translocate 10 rhinos safely in the land.
The organizations noted that the national park is the perfect location for the animals because it is the only safe savannah region in the country. They see the 10 rhinos to populate the area in a few years' time.
Akegera has also relocated seven lions in 2015 after 20 years being gone in the park. According to them, if the organizations successfully relocated the rhinos, the savannah will be the home of The Big Five - rhinos, lions, leopard, buffalo and elephant - and will become a potential tourist destination.
According to Safari Guide, Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks said that the reestablishment of the black rhinos to the national park is a 'story of hope and homecomings.' "We thank the Dutch Government for their generous contribution and congratulate our government partner, the RDB on receiving this support and the role they have played in the ongoing success of Akagera," he said.
The Akagera is the oldest national park in the country and is home to more than 8,000 mammals and 500 bird species. Plans for the park include managing and rehabilitation of wildlife, restoring the savannah ecosystem, and wide practicing of conservation and tourism policies.
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