African Parks in collaboration with its key partners have successfully transited 17 black rhinos from South Africa to Liwonde National Park in Malawi.

A statement released by African Parks says that the development follows a custodianship agreement signed between the Governments of Malawi and South Africa, aimed at boosting Malawi’s black rhino populations and aid regional efforts to conserve the critically endangered species.

Black rhinos face extinction as they are heavily poached for their horns. Minister of Natural Resources, Energy and Mining, Bintony Kutsaira said the arrival of the 17 black rhinos is also boost to the tourism industry in the country. “On behalf of His Excellency Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika, I would like to express Government’s gratitude to the Republic of South Africa for this timely gift of 17 black rhinos. For sure this partnership will be cultivated further for the good of the tourism industry in the country.”

In March this year, German Ambassador Juergen Borsch commended Malawi for her successful efforts to combat Illegal Wildlife Trade, as a Progress Report to government showed that Malawi has been delisted by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites). On the other hand, the Department of National Parks and Wildlife (DNPW) announced that poaching and illegal trafficking are crimes that are 50% less since 2016.