Mozambique’s first Big Five national park didn’t happen overnight.
It took years of preparation, multiple rhino translocations and a final 1,650-kilometre journey across southern Africa to reach this moment.
The arrival of nine female white rhinos from South Africa’s Manketti Game Reserve to Mozambique’s Zinave National Park marked the final phase of a four-year effort to establish viable founder populations of both white and black rhinos in the park. Their arrival secured Zinave’s status as Mozambique’s first Big Five national park.
The milestone reflects years of collaboration between Mozambique’s National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC) and Peace Parks Foundation to support the recovery and long-term management of Zinave National Park, creating opportunities for tourism, jobs and local businesses while helping secure the park’s future.
In this episode, follow the teams on the ground as they move nine rhinos across borders, navigate logistical challenges and safely deliver the final animals that completed this remarkable journey.
“It really takes a village to get a translocation over the line safely and seamlessly, so it is important that this translocation is done with care, with precision, with a lot of planning to ensure that these rhinos are in a better place than they were before.”
— Nomonde Ndwalaza, Corporate Affairs Manager and Ferroland Grondtrust Board Member, Exxaro Resources
The translocation was made possible through the support of Exxaro Resources through its Aga Setshaba NPC and undertaken by ANAC, Exxaro Resources and Peace Parks Foundation, with the support of South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Mozambique Wildlife Alliance and Conservation Solutions.
10 years. 1,650 kilometres travelled. 9 rhinos completing the journey.
