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Rustenburg, November 03, 2000
News released via WILDAFRICA.NET on behalf of North West Parks
and Tourism Board
(Issued jointly by South African National Parks and North West
Parks & Tourism Board)
Introduction: Malawi Liwonde Nat. Park - On Sunday 29
Oct 2000 a young black rhino bull and cow were successfully
translocated from the Kruger National Park, South Africa by
means of a Sky Relief cargo plane, to the Liwonde National Park
in Malawi.
The young bull named Chimpange (meaning pioneer in Malawian)
is approx seven years old and the cow, Chimwemwe (meaning Gift)
is eight. The latter is four months pregnant and is anticipated
to calf, eleven months from now. The combined monetary value
of these two rhinoceros is R 600 000.
A veterinarian team from South African National Parks will be
monitoring the pair in the holding boma for approximately one
week - as they adapt to the climate and the vegetation of their
new home. Should conditions be conducive, the veterinary team
anticipate releasing the pair into an exclusive sanctuary in
the park, in one week. Hereafter progress will be monitored
by park management and the J&B Circle of Freinds via radio tracking
equipment.
The J&B Circle of Friends are a noble group of Malawian business
men who have dedicated their time and fund generating efforts
to the preservation these endangered species and their participation
has been instrumental is the reintroduction of Black Rhino at
Liwonde National Park.
Relocation Objective: The objective of this joint relocation
project between the South African National Parks (SANP) and
the North West Parks and Tourism Board (NWPTB) is to establish
satellite populations of this endangered species in Southern
Africa and to facilitate the development of the eco tourism
industry in Southern African Developing Countries.
The Handover Ceremony: A handover ceremony took place
in Liwonde Nat. Park on 29th October during which the Minister
of Tourism, Parks and Wildlife of Malawi, Dr A G A Nga Mtafu
accepted the animals from Mavuso Msimang (CEO of SANP) and Matsima
Magakgala (Acting CEO of NWPTB).
Sponsor Contributions Imperative to the Success of the Project:
In addition to the animals being donated by SANP & NWPTB funding
for the sanctuary, the relocations to date was provided by the
J&B Circle of Friends, Panthera Productions, the Malawi-SA Wildlife
Project & B P South Africa. Sky Relief provided the air transportation
at a discounted rate.
Unique African Documentary in the Making: Panthera Productions,
who have donated $ 50 000 towards the project, are producing
a documentary featuring George Phiri a ranger from the Pilanesberg
National Park, originally from Malawi. The film will highlight
the African perspective on wildlife conservation and the protection
of endangered species such as the Black Rhino. This documentary
will be broadcast internationally on the Discovery Channel and
other terrestrial broadcasters.
The Malawi-South Africa Wildlife Project: The Black Rhino
were officially proclaimed as an extinct species in Malawi in
1990. The Malawi South Africa Wildlife Project is a official
bilateral conservation project between these two countries with
the aim of assisting Malawi to acquire populations of this particular
species. Preconditions for the bilateral project included suitable
habit and adequate security measures.
The habitat was availed in the Liwonde National Park in the
Shire Valley of Malawi however as the park was not fenced at
that time it was decided to fence a small (1500 ha) sanctuary
area within the park. This sanctuary is protected by a team
of Malawian game scouts who were sent to the Kruger National
Park for security training.
Since 1993 four rhinoceros have been relocated to Liwonde N.P.
with success as the latter adapted well and they produced two
calves since their introduction. The Liwonde project has demonstrated
the value of the sanctuary concept for conserving endangered
species within their natural habitat, but under controlled and
secure conditions.
Source: www.WildAfrica.net
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