The status of black rhino in Zambia prior to this reintroduction was `Presumed Extinct', with the last confirmed sighting of an animal in the early 1990s. In historical times Zambia was one of the species' most important range states, and the Luangwa Valley, with an estimated population of up to 12,000 animals in the early 1970s, was one of its strongholds in the country.
An area in the central part of the park, straddling the Lubonga River, was chosen as the site for the sanctuary in which the rhinos would be released. The site's location was based on historical distribution data for black rhino in NLNP, as well as security considerations. A low-impact, four-strand electrified fence was erected to contain the rhino in this 55-km2 area, while allowing for relative freedom of movement for other animals. Additional ZAWA wildlife police officers were seconded to the area, and received extra training to deal with rhino security.
The animals destined for Zambia were captured in Marakele National Park and Kruger National Park in March 2003, and flown to the park just over two months later.
During their time in the bomas in NLNP, they were outfitted with radio transmitters in their horns, and received a trypanosomiasis inoculation, active for three months, to ease their introduction into a tsetse fly area. Tsetse targets and traps were also deployed at a low density throughout the sanctuary area, and at a high density around the boma site, to initially reduce the tsetse population and allow the rhinos time to develop resistance to the Trypanosoma parasite.
In an agreement mediated by FZS, South African National Parks donated five animals to the Zambia Wildlife Authority in exchange for two zoo-born black rhino calves from Frankfurt Zoo.
The animals destined for Zambia were captured in Marakele National Park and Kruger National Park in March 2003, and flown to the park just over two months later.
In an agreement mediated by FZS, South African National Parks donated five animals to the Zambia Wildlife Authority in exchange for two zoo-born black rhino calves from Frankfurt Zoo.
The animals destined for Zambia were captured in Marakele National Park and Kruger National Park in March 2003, and flown to the park just over two months later.
The animals destined for Zambia were captured in Marakele National Park and Kruger National Park in March 2003, and flown to the park just over two months later.
