NINE CRITICALLY ENDANGERED RHINOS GET SAFE HAVEN IN SERENGETI

Nine critically endangered black rhinos were relocated from South Africa to Singita Grumeti on 10 September 2019.

This groundbreaking relocation was conducted by the non-profit Grumeti Fund, in partnership with the Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and is the largest movement of rhinos into Tanzania, increasing the national population by almost 10%. The nine rhinos join two eastern black rhinos previously relocated to Singita Grumeti in an ambitious effort to save the species from extinction.

Singita’s partnership with the Grumeti Fund, supports its 100-year purpose to preserve and protect biodiversity and African landscapes for future generations.

The nine animals, who were carefully selected by age and genetic composition, will be of extreme value to the gene pool of the existing Serengeti rhino population. Fuelled by a lucrative illegal trade in wildlife products, East Africa experienced a poaching crisis over forty years ago, decimating rhino numbers by 99%.

 From approximately 10,000 animals in 1970, it is estimated that only 100 eastern black rhinos roam Tanzania today. The relocation and protection of this population is therefore critical to the future survival of the species.

Singita aims to meaningfully support the Grumeti Fund and contribute to rhino conservation in Tanzania by establishing a healthy breeding population of eastern black rhinos within the greater Serengeti ecosystem. Strong partnerships with non-profit funds and trusts like the Grumeti Fund are crucial for conservation in the future.

Stephen Cunliffe, Executive Director of the Grumeti Fund, says: “We strongly believe that you can’t put a price on the survival of a species, so the Grumeti Fund will continue to fundraise, invest and work tirelessly with our partners to see black rhino thriving safely in the Serengeti ecosystem.”

Singita’s high-volume, low-impact tourism model, pioneered 26 years ago, helps achieve goals such as wildlife reintroductions in the Serengeti. Attracting like-minded guests and donors who believe in Singita’s long-term conservation vision, along with sustainable ecotourism, is critical to protecting Africa’s most vulnerable species and landscapes.

Accompanied by four wildlife veterinarians and a rhino behaviour specialist, the rhinos were transported from South Africa to Kilimanjaro Airport on a chartered 747 cargo plane, followed by a light aircraft flight to the Grumeti concession, and are safely housed in a secure location. 

Once acclimatised to their new surroundings, all the rhinos are expected to be released into the greater Serengeti ecosystem.

 In September 2018, the Grumeti Fund successfully relocated Eric, an eastern black rhino male from the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, in the US, to the western Serengeti and he should be released into the wild towards the end of 2019.

The far-reaching work that Singita supports through their independent not-for-profit conservation funds and trusts has helped animal populations across five regions in Africa rebound and grow dramatically, turning its game reserves into the ultimate conservation success story.

 Guests can support the future success of these critically endangered black rhino at Singita Grumeti via Empowers Africa.