Reintroduction of White Rhino to Gonarezhou National Park marks Historic Conservation Milestone
Gonarezhou National Park – For the first time in nearly a century, White Rhino are once again roaming Gonarezhou—serving as a landmark achievement for conservation in Zimbabwe. The reintroduction of white rhino is a culmination of years of work and planning by the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust, a conservation
partnership founded by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority and the Frankfurt Zoological Society and enabled by key partners such as the Government of Zimbabwe, through the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, the Malilangwe Trust, and other important donor partners. The goal of the reintroduction was to restore an element of biodiversity long-lost to the ecosystem while at the same time establishing a new, viable metapopulation of white rhino and creating a future for white rhinos in Zimbabwe’s second largest national park.
Although there were isolated records of individual white rhino in Gonarezhou up to 1992, the last viable population of white rhino in Gonarezhou likely dates back to the early 1900’s, before the species was completely extirpated from Zimbabwe. Reintroductions of white rhino back to Zimbabwe began in the second half of the 20th century from KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. However, unlike the black rhino, no known attempt was made to reestablish a viable population of white rhino in Gonarezhou until now, making this reintroduction all the more significant.
The planning for this reintroduction began in 2023, building off the back of the operational and security infrastructure already in place following the successful reintroduction of black rhino in 2021. The planning involved feasibility studies to determine the suitability of Gonarezhou’s habitats as well as discussions around
source populations, reintroduction methods and post-release monitoring. The planned operation was then successfully completed in April-May 2025 and consisted of:
- The careful selection of individuals based on their social cohorts, age and sex;
- Locating, safely immobilising and transporting specific individuals;
- Pre-release of individuals into temporary holding pens;
- Final release of individuals into the Park;
- Intensive post-release monitoring and security.
The reintroduction was made possible due to several key partners including the Government of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, The Malilangwe Trust who donated the founder individuals and provided critical logistical, technical and scientific support, several independent experts such as veterinarians, animal handlers and pilots, and several important donors. The cooperation and coordination between the partners speaks to the foundation of the Gonarezhou Conservation Trust – “A conservation Partnership” – and highlights our collective commitment to conservation in Zimbabwe.
The return of white rhinos to Gonarezhou is a historic milestone—but it is only the beginning. Their release back into this wilderness marks the start of the next phase of the journey for them and Gonarezhou. Ensuring their protection and long-term survival will remain a key focus through ongoing intensive monitoring and security, collaboration with partners and the public.
For media inquiries or further information, please contact: malvern@gonarezhou.org
