White Rhinos Return to Gonarezhou After Nearly a Century
White rhinos have been reintroduced to Gonarezhou National Park in southeastern Zimbabwe, marking the first time in nearly 100 years the species has freely roamed the area. This milestone is the result of a multi-year effort led by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust (GCT), a joint initiative between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, supported by key partners including The Malilangwe Trust and other donor organisations. The reintroduction aims to restore lost biodiversity and establish a viable new white rhino metapopulation in Zimbabwe’s second-largest national park.
The operation, completed between April and May 2025, included careful selection, transportation, temporary holding, and phased release of rhinos, followed by intensive post-release monitoring. The initiative builds on groundwork laid during the successful reintroduction of black rhinos in 2021. With Gonarezhou now home to both species of African rhino, the project marks a major advancement in wildlife conservation in the region, with benefits expected for biodiversity and long-term ecological tourism. Ongoing monitoring and security remain central to ensuring the rhinos’ survival and the continued success of the reintroduction programme.
Source: Gonarezhou
