Rhinos Rebound in Billionaire-Backed Park in Zimbabwe -

Black rhinos are being reintroduced into a national park in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi Valley, with support from a billionaire, three decades after the majority were evacuated to protect them from poachers.

The black rhino population in the valley dramatically dropped to 400 in the early 1990s, down from approximately 3,500 the previous decade, due to a surge of illegal hunters from Zambia targeting this critically endangered species for their horns. The remaining animals were relocated to safer areas in Zimbabwe, Texas, and Australia.

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This conservation initiative led to the formation of the national Save the Rhino campaign, which included the release of the song “Run Rhino Run.” Paramilitary police and airforce units were deployed alongside park rangers with a “shoot-to-kill” directive, resulting in the deaths of numerous poachers. However, this effort could not stop the decline of the rhino population.

Recently, 17 black rhinos were transported to Matusadona National Park, as confirmed by the park manager. This reserve, partially funded by Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss’s foundation, is managed by African Parks, a nonprofit committed to conservation across Africa.

The ancestors of some of the newly arrived black rhinos once roamed Matusadona.

“This marks an incredible closure of a 30-year journey,” stated Michael Pelham, who manages the park and was involved in the evacuation during the 1990s.

“I assisted in capturing the last survivors, crated them, and relocated them to safety, unsure if the species would ever return.”

This year’s initiative to bring black rhinos from other reserves in Zimbabwe is the first phase of reestablishing a population in Matusadona, Pelham noted. An additional 20 rhinos are scheduled for introduction next year, and they will be kept in enclosures for several weeks to aid in their acclimatization.

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While poaching remains a concern, there is now an increased number of rangers in the park. It was chosen for its topography, which aids in monitoring for incursions using advanced technologies, such as drones and infrared sensors. One area is bordered by a lakeshore, while another is backed by a steep escarpment.

Currently, there are just under 7,000 black rhinos globally, according to the International Rhino Foundation. Approximately 800 are located in other regions of Zimbabwe, while the remainder is mainly distributed across neighboring Southern African countries.

African Parks was founded in 2000 and now oversees 24 parks across the continent in partnership with various governments.

The organization boasts an annual budget exceeding $160 million, supported by prominent figures such as Wyss, with a net worth of $9.9 billion, along with funding from the European Union, conservation organizations, and billionaires like Rob Walton and Howard G. Buffett.