Epic African Rhino Conservation: 120 Rhinos Rewilded in South Africa

May 3, 2025
ABS, Africa travel

120 southern white rhinos rewilded to Greater Kruger by African Parks. Discover this historic conservation effort and what it means for Africa’s rhino future.

Rhino Rewild: 120 Rhinos Moved to Greater Kruger

In one of the most ambitious and hopeful developments in recent African conservation history, 120 southern white rhinos have been successfully rewilded into secure game reserves in South Africa under the groundbreaking Rhino Rewild initiative by African Parks. This remarkable achievement represents the second major translocation phase of a bold 10-year plan to rescue and reintroduce 2,000 southern white rhinos into protected areas across Africa.

This article explores the story behind this large-scale conservation operation, its significance for rhino conservation in Africa, the collaborative forces that made it possible, and what it means for the future of endangered species management on the continent.

Rhino Rewild: A Vision for African Conservation

The Rhino Rewild initiative is a visionary response to an urgent problem. In 2023, African Parks acquired the world’s largest captive rhino breeding operation in South Africa, after a failed public auction threatened the future of over 2,000 rhinos. This purchase marked the beginning of an unprecedented commitment: not to keep the rhinos in captivity, but to reintroduce them into the wild.

Over the next decade, African Parks aims to establish and strengthen southern white rhino populations in secure and well-managed reserves across the continent. This effort is about more than just moving animals—it’s about rewilding ecosystems, restoring natural processes, and ensuring the long-term genetic and ecological health of rhinos in the wild.

120 Rhinos Translocated to the Greater Kruger Region

As of June 2024, the second phase of the Rhino Rewild initiative saw the successful translocation of 120 rhinos to reserves affiliated with the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation (GKEPF), located in South Africa’s Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. This move significantly boosts rhino populations in the Greater Kruger region, an area that already plays a critical role in the conservation of southern Africa’s megafauna.

The selected release sites are not inside the Kruger National Park itself but in adjacent private game reserves that form part of the Greater Kruger ecosystem. These lands act as strategic buffer zones, providing expanded habitat while benefiting from proximity to Kruger’s conservation infrastructure and expertise.

Why the Greater Kruger Region?

The Greater Kruger area is home to the largest remaining wild rhino population in the world. Its vast, interconnected reserves offer fertile, water-rich grasslands that are ideal for rhino survival and reproduction. Over the past decade, extensive anti-poaching and monitoring efforts have transformed these private reserves into sanctuaries with enhanced security protocols and conservation capacity.

The GKEPF, established in 2016, brings together private, provincial, and national stakeholders in a united front against wildlife crime. With the help of new technologies, collaborative intelligence networks, and a shared conservation vision, the region now serves as a beacon of hope in the fight to save rhinos from extinction.

The Scale and Significance of the Operation

Moving 120 rhinos is no small feat. It involved months of planning, coordination, veterinary expertise, and logistical execution. The operation required helicopters, loading equipment, veterinary sedation, and meticulous transport across long distances. Each rhino was dehorned before translocation to reduce the risk of poaching—a common and proven security measure in high-risk landscapes.

According to Markus Hofmeyr, Director of the Rhino Recovery Fund, “This marks the first reintroduction of rhino into this landscape in about 50 years.” He also emphasized the calculated nature of the risk and the level of preparedness in the reserves receiving these animals. “We’re at a point where this risk is well calculated,” he said, highlighting the expertise and readiness of the partner reserves.

Partnerships That Made It Possible

This translocation effort would not have been possible without a collaborative network of conservation partners. African Parks donated the animals, while GKEPF member reserves provided the habitat and security. Funding for the project came from major philanthropies including the Rob Walton Foundation, Pershing Square Foundation, OAK Foundation, and Rhino Recovery Fund, among others. Private donors and corporate sponsors like Land Rover Sandton also contributed critical support.

Importantly, Kruger National Park and SANParks provided strategic guidance and support. Though the rhinos were not released directly into Kruger, the park’s scientists and managers were closely involved in planning and risk assessment, ensuring that the move contributes positively to the broader Kruger rhino conservation strategy.

Beyond Numbers: Ecological and Genetic Importance

This isn’t just a numbers game. Every rhino moved as part of this program plays a role in restoring the ecological balance of African savannahs. Rhinos are keystone species, shaping vegetation patterns and creating habitats for other wildlife. By rewilding them, conservationists are reactivating entire ecological processes.

In addition, these rhinos are genetically important. The more robust and genetically diverse a rhino population is, the better its long-term survival prospects. The mixing of different bloodlines across reserves contributes to a healthier, more resilient metapopulation, which is essential given the fragmentation and losses rhino populations have faced in recent decades.

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How Dehorning Helps Save Rhinos

One of the most discussed and sometimes misunderstood strategies in rhino protection is dehorning. Every one of the 120 southern white rhinos moved in this phase of the Rhino Rewild initiative arrived at their new homes dehorned. Though it may seem counterintuitive, this practice is one of the most effective deterrents to poachers.

Rhino horns, made of keratin like human fingernails, hold no medicinal value—yet they continue to be targeted due to high black-market demand. Dehorning reduces the economic incentive for poaching while the rhino continues to live a healthy life in the wild. Combined with robust anti-poaching patrols, surveillance technology, and local community engagement, dehorning forms part of a broader strategy that’s already reducing poaching incidents in the Greater Kruger region.

Why This Rhino Reintroduction Is Historic

There hasn’t been a reintroduction of this scale in over 50 years in this part of South Africa. This milestone signals a new era of conservation—one based on rewilding, collaboration, and long-term ecological planning. The 120 rhinos will not only augment the current population but also serve as a foundation for future generations.

The goal isn’t merely to reintroduce rhinos into protected areas. It’s to ensure they contribute meaningfully to the ecological health and genetic integrity of southern white rhino populations. These rewilded rhinos help rebalance ecosystems and restore natural herbivore behavior, which supports biodiversity at large.

Monitoring and Long-Term Protection

Ongoing monitoring and research are vital to the project’s success. Every rhino has been tagged and tracked to evaluate how well it adapts to its new habitat. GKEPF reserves will continue to observe movement patterns, health indicators, and interactions with existing wildlife populations.

This data will be shared among conservation partners and researchers to improve the effectiveness of future translocations. Funding is also in place for maintaining anti-poaching patrols, vet interventions when needed, and habitat management. It’s not just about rewilding; it’s about ensuring the rhinos remain wild and safe in perpetuity.

The Power of Collaboration in Conservation

The Rhino Rewild project proves that conservation success is only possible through collaboration. This initiative brought together national parks, private reserves, NGOs, scientists, donors, and local communities—all united under a shared mission. The logistical complexity, security requirements, and financial investment required couldn’t have been achieved by any single entity.

Statements from leaders across organizations, such as Peter Fearnhead (CEO of African Parks) and Sharon Haussmann (CEO of GKEPF), reflect this sentiment: the future of Africa’s rhinos depends on strategic, collective action grounded in evidence, resilience, and vision.

Community Engagement and Local Impact

Engaging local communities is a cornerstone of the Rhino Rewild strategy. African Parks and GKEPF are committed to ensuring that the economic and social benefits of rhino conservation reach the people who live near the reserves. Employment opportunities, skills training, environmental education, and tourism revenue all help build a culture of protection around rhinos.

By involving communities as stakeholders, not just bystanders, the project cultivates long-term support for conservation efforts and reduces the risks of internal poaching syndicates. This inclusive model strengthens both wildlife protection and local livelihoods.

Visit South Africa on a Rhino Safari

If you’re inspired by this monumental conservation story, one of the best ways to support African rhino conservation is by embarking on a rhino safari in South Africa. Ethical tourism not only generates funds for wildlife protection but also fosters awareness and appreciation for these incredible creatures.

Adventure in the Wild Safaris offers tailored rhino-focused safari tours to reserves in and around the Greater Kruger region, including those participating in the Rhino Rewild program. Expert guides, eco-lodges, and responsible travel practices ensure a meaningful and sustainable experience.

Whether you’re interested in spotting rhinos at dawn, learning from trackers, or visiting rewilding sites firsthand, these safaris let you witness conservation in action—and become a part of it.

Rhino Rewild: What Comes Next?

The translocation of 120 rhinos is just the beginning. With a target of 2,000 rhinos rewilded over the next 10 years, African Parks and its partners are embarking on one of the most ambitious conservation projects of our time. More translocations are planned for Botswana, Namibia, and other secure reserves across Africa.

Each phase will build on lessons learned, refine best practices, and further connect protected landscapes across the continent. The long-term vision is not just the survival of the species, but its thriving reintegration into wild Africa.

Conclusion: A Turning Point for Rhino Conservation

The Rhino Rewild initiative has already shifted the narrative from crisis to opportunity. At a time when poaching, habitat loss, and climate change threaten countless species, this project serves as a blueprint for hope. Through science, funding, collaboration, and unwavering dedication, conservationists are not only saving rhinos—they’re restoring Africa’s wild heart.

If there’s one takeaway, it’s this: when we invest in nature, we invest in our collective future. The rewilded rhinos of Greater Kruger are now roaming wild again, where they belong.