To Rwanda with Rhinos

Last month, I shared a historical anecdote about wild American animals being sent to an African zoo.   It's a fun story, in that "man bites dog" sort of way.  You know what's more meaningful, though?  African animals being sent from overseas zoos to the repopulate the wild.

Last week, five critically endangered black rhinos were transferred from European zoos to help reestablish the species in Rwanda.  Better known for its mountain gorillas, Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, so finding room for animals there is quite a feat.  It's an especially large commitment for rhinos, perhaps the most high-target species for poachers in the region.  Rwanda lost its rhinos years ago to poachers.  Hopefully, they are here to stay this time.

5 endangered black rhinos relocated from Europe to Rwanda

Zoos often tout the prospect of reintroducing animals into the wild as one of their driving goals... and critics doubt the possibility of such things happening, discounting those situations where it already has happened.  Sometimes, I think even many zookeepers just think of it as more of a talking point rather than an actual goal.  We shouldn't get cynical and we shouldn't get jaded.  This is really happening.

If rhinos can make a comeback in Rwanda, than who is to say what is possible or impossible?


In this photo released by African Parks, a critically endangered eastern black rhino walks around its boma, or enclosure, just after being offloaded from a truck in Akagera national park, Rwanda Monday, June 24, 2019. Two male and three female rhinos, from wildlife parks in three European countries, were transported to the park with the aim of increasing the genetic diversity of the park’s rhino population and aiding efforts to restore the critically endangered subspecies in Rwanda and the region, said park officials. (Scott Ramsay/African Parks via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT (Associated Press)