The Duke visited Mkomazi National Park to learn more about conservation efforts on the front line of a Tanzanian National Park. Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary is working to establish a viable breeding population of 50 black rhino, whose offspring will be used to reinforce existing populations in Tanzania.
In 2012 the Duke of visited black rhinos Grumeti and Zawadi in Port Lympne wildlife park in Kent before they were flown to Tanzania from the UK. At Mkomazi he met with Grumeti’s daughter Mobo. In 2012, Tusk were instrumental in the translocation of Grumeti and Zawadi from Aspinall Foundation’s Port Lympne wildlife park to Tanzanzia. In 2016, Mobo was born and Zawadi also gave birth to a healthy baby helping to boost the population of this critically endangered species.
The Mkomazi Rhino Sanctuary rhinos represent nearly 30% of Tanzania’s entire black rhino population. This makes the Mkomazi rhinos incredibly important, not just to the country, but also to the future of this fragile species. Tusk has been a major sponsor of Mkomazi for many years; field operation support has contributed to game guard salaries, aircraft patrols, translocations and environmental education.
Whilst in Mkomazi, Prince William also visited Mkomazi’s educational initiative at Rafiki Wa Faru, where children from 14 local villages learn all about rhinos and other wildlife — in the hope that Mkomazi’s rhino population will never again be wiped out by poachers.
Tusk believes that children can play a significant role in successful conservation if they appreciate wildlife and understand its importance from an early age. Funded by Tusk, Mkomazi undertakes about 30 environmental education sessions per year. 850 students, 104 teachers and 58 village leaders have been directly supported by the education programme at Mkomazi.
The Duke rounded off the trip with a visit to the College of African Wildlife Management in Moshi to see its work empowering students to address the challenges of wildlife sustainability in Africa. The project is supported by United for Wildlife, of which The Duke is President.
