Tanzania has received 18 white rhinos from South Africa, in the wake of an agreement with AndBeyond, a travel company based Pretoria, running wildlife lodges in Africa, Asia and South America.
Dr. Pindi Chana, the Natural Resources and Tourism minister, said at a handing over ceremony hosted by the Ngorongoro Conservation Area Authority (NCAA) in Arusha yesterday that under the agreement, AndBeyond facilitated the procurement and transportation of the first batch of 18 white rhinos.
The second batch, also comprising 18 rhinos, is expected to arrive soon, with some rhinos being placed in other conservation areas across the country, she stated, noting that this is the first time white rhinos are being procured to boost tourism by enhancing the rhino population.
She hailed President Samia Suluhu Hassan for strong support of conservation efforts, including the white rhino translocation project, underlining that white rhinos are an endangered species, listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Highlighting the importance of white rhino preservation, she stated that the government intends to collaborate with other countries in the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to protect rhinos in their natural habitats, in contrast to situations here they are kept in farms or zoos.
Beyond conservation, the reinforced presence of white rhinos makes it easier to educate the public on rhino management, conservation and support research to enhance scientific understanding of the species.
Dr Elirehema Doriye, the NCAA commissioner, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting this endangered species.
The translocation of rhinos will contribute to global conservation efforts, provide opportunities for research, boost the local economy and promote tourism. The NCAA is dedicated to ensuring their safety, he declared.
iNkosi Zwelinzima Gumedeunywano, a South African traditional leader, remarked that shifting the rhinos to Tanzania is part of ongoing conservation efforts to support the felt need to increase rhino populations in East Africa.
“Research shows that these rhinos will thrive and breed successfully in the Ngorongoro area,” he said, expressing South Africa’s commitment to supporting Tanzania in its conservation initiatives.
Through the translocation project, Tanzania strengthens its role in global wildlife conservation, contributing to the protection of endangered species while boosting local communities and tourism, he added.
