|
 |
ZULULAND RHINO RESERVE
|
|
|
|
|
Zululand Rhino Reserve: The
Zululand Rhino Reserve incorporating Leopard Mountain Game Reserve was created in 1995 in
a strategic partnership between the World Wildlife Fund, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and
property owners, to provide a haven for the fast dwindling black rhino population. This
has culminated in the creation and preservation of 23 000ha of unique habitat that is fast
disappearing in the rest of Africa .... Click to view additional information about the Zululand Rhino Reserve.
» Accommodation in the Zululand Rhino Reserve: |
|
 |
|
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge:
Leopard Mountain Game Lodge is the ideal getaway where everybody
from the old to the young will enjoy a fascinating experience in the wild. Discover rhino,
leopards and giraffe in the unspoilt wilderness ... |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Bayete Zulu Game Lodge
Being one of the most densely stocked reserves in Northern
KwaZulu-Natal, a drive with one of our knowledgeable field drivers is guaranteed to be an
adventure. Come watch our hippos wallow, while ... |
|
|
|
|
Zululand
Rhino Reserve: The Zululand Rhino Reserve incorporating Leopard Mountain Game
Reserve was created in 1995 in a strategic partnership between the World Wildlife Fund,
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and property owners, to provide a haven for the fast dwindling black
rhino population. This has culminated in the creation and preservation of 23 000ha of
unique habitat that is fast disappearing in the rest of Africa. This has now become the
new home for a significant black rhino population of 21 black rhino and on the 1 April
2006 has been blessed with its first a beautiful black rhino calf. The founder population
introduced into the reserve will form a breeding pool from which the black rhino, which is
1 of the 10 most endangered mammals in the world, can recover and increase in number.
The reserve has been declared an international site of ecological significance not only
due to the Black rhino population but due to the other unique species of birds, insects
and plants that occur in the reserve.
The reserve is home to a wide variety of animal species including black and white rhinoceros,
elephant,
buffalo,
giraffe,
nyala,
blue wildebeest,
warthog,
impala,
kudu and
other smaller antelope. Rare species occurring in the reserve are, hyaena,
suni and leopard.
With spectacular scenery and a variety of habitats and bird species from riverine forests
with (Narina Trogan) to dense thicket hosting (Pink throated twinspot ) Montane bushveld ,
broadleaf woodland with (Lemon breasted canary) and acacia savannah. The breathtaking
cliffs with a bald ibis nesting sites tower over 8 klm of river walks with a wide variety
of tree species including sycamore figs , combretums and weeping farmer bean trees hosting
birds such as green pigeon , purple crested louries , trumpeter hornbills and many
raptors.
The aim of the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project is to increase numbers of black rhino
by increasing the land available for their conservation, thus reducing pressure on
existing reserves and providing new territory in which they can breed up quickly.
Black rhino,
which used to be the most numerous rhino species in the world, became critically
endangered following a catastrophic poaching wave in the 1970s and 1980s which wiped out
96% of Africa's wild black rhino population in just 20 years. At the lowest point, there
were just 2500 black rhino left. Thanks to intensive protection efforts by organizations
like Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, that number has gradually increased to around 3600. Security
is one part of the solution. The other part is ensuring that black rhino numbers keep
increasing. This project is a bold move aimed at stimulating rapid population growth of
the critically endangered species. |
|
Text courtesy of Leopard
Mountain Game Reserve |
|
« KwaZulu
Natal Safaris | South Africa Game
Reserves | South
African Safari » |
|
|
|
|
|
|
