After more than 50 hours of travel, this second cohort arrived on Congolese soil on Tuesday 9 December 2025, ahead of its official presentation to stakeholders and the press on Wednesday 10 December. These animals will reinforce the group reintroduced two years ago as part of a vast program to restore this species. Garamba National Park has reached a new milestone with the arrival of 24 new southern white rhinos.

The transfer, which covered several thousand kilometres from the Munywana reserve in South Africa, was orchestrated in three carefully planned stages. The operation mobilized veterinarians, logisticians, wildlife experts and security partners, ensuring the animals’ well-being throughout the journey.

According to Philippe Decoops, managing director of Garamba National Park, this operation represents a major step forward in the reintroduction of an iconic species that had disappeared from the country for several decades. He said he was satisfied with the results achieved so far, particularly with the birth of a baby rhino in the first group.

“It has now been three months since the first rhino was born in the wild in the Democratic Republic of Congo, a first in more than twenty years. A month earlier, another birth had taken place: the calf was in perfect health, but unfortunately its mother died during the birth. We want to make it clear that the more we invest in conservation, the more we reap the benefits,” he said.

For the provincial government, represented by Mines Minister Didier Meduama Yolo, this new wave reinforces the actions already taken to preserve the park and its species.

“The province of Haut-Uele has not stood aside in improving the conditions and operationality of our park. Road maintenance is proof of this: it facilitates intervention when there is a problem. We encourage peaceful coexistence with the park so that the population understands the importance of this major project to better protect the species that live there,” he emphasized.

Garamba National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, provides an environment conducive to the survival of rhinos: enhanced security, rigorous management, community support and exceptional biodiversity. This new group reinforces an already growing founding population, with the hope of creating a sustainable stronghold for the species in the region. A third batch of rhinos is planned for January 2026.

Written by Akilimali Chomachoma