Nine black rhino from KwaZulu-Natal game reserves are being airlifted to a new home as part of a range expansion project for the critically endangered species.

In an effort to ensure the survival of critically endangered black rhino, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (EKZNW) are partnering on a project designed to establish founder populations of black rhino throughout KwaZulu-Natal and other parts of Africa.

The goal of the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) expansion project is to stimulate breeding among the animals and increase populations throughout Africa.

According to local news reports, a total of nine rhino will be airlifted to a new home. So far, eight have already made the journey: Two each from Hluhluwe Game Reserve and the St. Lucia area, and four from the Imfolozi wilderness area.

The destination of the rhino cannot be made public - at least for the time being - due to poaching concerns.

Airlifting 'less stressful' for rhino

Wildlife authorities say that airlifting is a better choice for the rhino than transporting them on land. Airlifting is quicker - and thus, less stressful for the animals.

The airlift process starts by identifying a suitable rhino from the air, and darting it with a safe tranquilizer drug. In about five minutes, the rhino is groggy enough to be roped and and blindfolded.

Once the rhino is safely restrained, the capture team inserts earplugs into the animal's ears, and rolls it into a large cargo net. The net is sturdied by a steel frame and cable before being lifted by the helicopter.

The helicopter transports the rhino to the drop-off point, where it is carefully lowered to the ground, to a waiting veterinarian. The vet performs an examination - and then the unconscious rhino is gently pulled (using a small truck) into a crate designed especially for the purpose of moving rhino.

An antidote is administered, and the rhino is transported in its crate to the new destination by truck.

Rhino poaching crisis

The widespread illegal slaughter of black rhino for their horns reduced the population from 65,000 in 1973 to a low of just 2,300 by 1993.

Sadly, there has been a shocking increase in rhino poaching in the last few years. Wildlife experts attribute this to rising incomes in China, where demand for the rhino's horn is insatiable - and trade in endangered species products continues to flourish. An unfortunate Chinese superstition attributes healing powers to the rhino's horn, claiming it is a medicine for reducing fever and relieving pain. (Not as an aphrodisiac, as is widely believed.)

Now that more people can afford expensive and illegal rhino horn, rhino are being slaughtered at an alarming rate.

The illegal trade in rhino horn has become so pervasive that, according to reports, well-organized poaching syndicates are believed to be working with Chinese and Vietnamese nationals throughout Africa to kill rhino and smuggle the horns to Asia.

Today, there are approximately 4,240 black rhinos - thanks to conservation efforts.

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