CONSERVATIONISTS at Chester Zoo have overseen the arrival of five critically endangered Eastern black rhinos to Rwanda's Akagera National Park.

Part of a major international collaboration, this is the largest ever translocation of rhinos from European zoos to Africa and Chester Zoo have been there to oversee it all.

Chief executive at Chester Zoo Dr Mark Pilgrim, who manages the population of Eastern black rhino across European zoos, said: “This is a historic moment for eastern black rhino conservation.

"Black rhino populations have dropped by more than 95% in Africa over the last 100 years due to a global surge in illegal poaching for their horns. Just 12 years ago, they completely disappeared in Rwanda where they were declared extinct.

“To now be part of a successful reintroduction of eastern black rhinos back to Rwanda, with individuals from the healthy, thriving and genetically viable population in zoos in Europe, is a dream come true – and a huge boost to the future of this iconic species.

“This is a major moment for zoos and for wildlife conservation. The future of eastern black rhinos could depend on it.”

Undertaken by European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), the Rwanda Development Board (RDB) and African Parks, two male and three female rhinos were released into temporary enclosures with the aim of increasing the genetic diversity of the park's rhino population.

They will remain in the enclosures for around three weeks to ensure they have time to get used to their new environment before they are released into a sanctuary to be monitored for several months.

The historic move also aids efforts in restoring the critically endangered subspecies in Rwanda and the surrounding region.

Jes Gruner, park manager of Akagera National Park, said: “The newly translocated rhinos will bolster the founder group that we introduced in 2017, contributing to the re-establishment of a robust Eastern black rhino population in Rwanda.

“This unique achievement represents the culmination of an unprecedented international effort to improve the survival prospects of a critically endangered rhino subspecies in the wild.

"Their arrival also marks an important step in Akagera’s ongoing revitalisation, and one that underscores the country’s commitment to conservation.”

Originally hailing from Flamingo Land in United Kingdom, Safari Park Dvůr Králové in Czech Republic and Ree Park Safari (Denmark), the rhinos were selected from the EAZA Ex Situ Programme (EEP).

One of the rhinos, ‘Mandela’, is the offspring of mum ‘Bashira’ who was born at Chester Zoo as part of the breeding programme.

Extensive security measures have been put in place to ensure the long-term safety and wellbeing of Akagera’s rhinos which includes expertly trained rhino tracking and a protection team which was put in place in 2017.

There is even a helicopter for critical air surveillance to enhance protection of the park.