White rhinoceros has been reintroduced to Gonarestu National Park in southeast Zimbabwe, and for the first time in nearly 100 years, the species has roamed the area freely. This milestone is the result of a multi-year effort led by the Gonareshau Conservation Trust (GCT), a joint initiative between the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Control Bureau and the Frankfurt Zoological Society, supported by key partners, including the Marilanwe Trust and other donor organizations. The purpose of the reintroduction is to restore lost biodiversity and establish a viable new white simetameta population in Zimbabwe's second largest national park.
Operations completed between April and May 2025 included careful selection, transportation, temporary holdings, and staged release of rhinos, followed by post-centralized release monitoring. The initiative is based on the foundations built during the successful reintroduction of Black Rhino in 2021. The gonarezo currently has both species of African rhinoceros, and the project marks great advances in wildlife conservation in the region, with hopes for biodiversity and long-term ecological tourism. Continuous monitoring and security remains central to ensuring the continued success of rhinoceros survival and re-implementation programs.
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Source: Gonarezhou
