CAPE TOWN, June 29 (ANA) – A black rhino born in the Czech Republic was on Wednesday successfully relocated to a natural park in Tanzania as part of ongoing conservation efforts, delivery provider DHL said.
"We were very excited to have the opportunity to transport this beautiful animal home to Africa and to play our part in these critical efforts to help revive endangered Eastern black rhino populations," said DHL Express chief executive Ken Allen in a statement.
The rhino, three-year-old Eliska, was born at the ZOO Dvur Králové in the Czech Republic which has a substantial record of breeding Eastern black rhinos, one of the most endangered mammal species in the world. Her move forms part of an ongoing conservation project conducted by the George Adamson Wildlife Preservation Trust which is aimed at affording endangered species the opportunity to once again prosper.
Eliska, who weighs some 900 kilograms, was transported by an international DHL team made up of about 40 specialists from across more than five countries. She was moved from the ZOO Dvur Králové to DHL’s main European hub in Germany, loaded onto a Boeing which was modified for animal transport, flown more than 6,500 kilometres to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro Airport, and then transferred by truck to her new home. Throughout, Eliska was accompanied by a team of support staff, including one of the world’s leading black rhino veterinarians, Dr Pete Morkel.
The black rhino’s former carers, the ZOO Dvur Králové, called the move a "bitter-sweet moment".
"We are sorry to say goodbye to one of our much-loved animals, but at the same time, we are extremely gratified to have played a part in this important conservation project and excited to see how she adapts to her natural habitat," said Premysl Rabas, statutory director at the zoo.
– African News Agency (ANA)
Photo credit - DHL
