Rwanda’s Akagera National park has received two lions and eight Rhinos from South Africa to today as part of its efforts to restock its parks with wildlife that previously inhabited the region.
According to the park the two male lions being introduced will increase the genetic diversity in lion population. The two male lions brings the total number of lions in park to 19. The two lions are said to be 3 year old brothers from South Africa’s Dinokeng Game Reserve.
All precautions are in place to ensure the safe transport of the 8 #RwandaRhinos and 2 lions being relocated to @AkageraPark today. pic.twitter.com/vr9OlIMQ9L
— Akagera National Park (@AkageraPark) May 9, 2017
Rwanda reintroduced the rhinos after a 10 year absence. The Rwandan park also received 8 rhinos after the last Rhino to be seen in the park was in 2007. The Eastern black rhinos arrived in Rwanda this morning from South Africa after spending a month in quarantine in Thabo Thole Game Ranch in South Africa. With the new introduction, the total numbers of Eastern black rhinos in Rwanda comes to 18.
10 Rhinos made the first historic return to the East African nation in early May. Through a partnership between African Parks, a non-profit organisation that manages national parks on behalf of government, the Rwanda Development Board and funding from Howard G. Buffett Foundation.
With fewer than 5,000 black rhino remaining, experts estimate that there are only about 1,000 Eastern black rhino remaining.
The return of the rhino is a story of hope and restoration of @AkageraPark. Rhinos were last seen in the park in 2007. #RwandaRhinos pic.twitter.com/JlobMTUVxn
— Akagera National Park (@AkageraPark) May 9, 2017
