Akagera National Park has celebrated a significant conservation milestone as the number of rhinos in the park has risen to 148, following the successful breeding of white rhinos that were introduced to Rwanda a year ago.
Jean Paul Karinganire, the Head of Stakeholder Relations at Akagera National Park, told IGIHE that three calves have been born from the group of 70 white rhinos that arrived in 2025.
He explained that a rhino’s gestation period lasts between 15 and 16 months, meaning that many more births are anticipated during this second year after their relocation.
“Another benefit these rhinos have brought to the park is increased tourism. Akagera National Park is now one of the few places in Africa where visitors can easily spot rhinos without much difficulty,” Karinganire said.
He added that the rhinos contribute to expanding the biodiversity needed for a national park ecosystem to thrive, while also marking a major achievement for East Africa in wildlife conservation.
On June 10, 2025, Rwanda received 70 white rhinos, including 28 males, from South Africa. It was the largest single translocation of animals ever carried out into Rwanda.
The newly introduced white rhinos joined the park’s existing population of black rhinos, bringing the total number of rhinos in Akagera to more than 145. With the birth of the three calves, the population has now reached 148.
White rhinos are nearly twice the size and weight of black rhinos. They are grazers, feeding primarily on short grasses, and are distinguished by their broad, flat mouths, which are specially adapted for grazing.
They also have a pronounced shoulder hump and three clearly visible muscular bulges around their shoulders and hindquarters.
By 2007, all rhinos that once lived in Rwanda had disappeared, with the last one dying that year. However, a decade later, in 2017, Rwanda reintroduced black rhinos to Akagera National Park. Since then, their numbers have steadily increased, reflecting the country’s ongoing success in wildlife restoration and conservation efforts.
