Black rhinos moved to avoid poachers
A 6 month old Black Rhino calf stands with its mother. File picture
Image by: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Image by: Dan Kitwood / Getty Images
Thirteen black rhinos have been moved from the Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife reserve to a new home in the province to prevent poaching.
The rhinos were moved as part of the World Wildlife Fund's Black Rhino Range Expansion project, which helps increase their numbers, the Mercury reported.
Project head Jacques Flamand said the rhinos were sedated and flown by helicopter to their new home.
"We believe this is the best way to move rhinos as it does not compromise their breathing and reduces the distance and time they have to travel by truck over difficult terrain," he said.
According to the World Wildlife Fund SA, there are about 5000 black rhino left in the wild.
This year more than 400 black and white rhinos have been killed and dehorned in the country to feed a market in the East where their horns are believed to have healing properties.
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