Wildlife Reintroduction

The Grumeti Fund has been instrumental in funding, translocating and reintroducing a number of endangered and locally extinct wildlife species to both Grumeti and the wider Serengeti ecosystem.

The Grumeti Black Rhino project is set to be a flagship conservation initiative in the region, in a move to accelerate the breeding and expansion program and to make a meaningful contribution to rhino conservation in the Serengeti.

Nine critically endangered black rhino were relocated from South Africa to Singita Grumeti on 10 September 2019. This groundbreaking relocation was conducted by the non-profit Grumeti Fund, in partnership with the Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority (TAWA) and is the largest movement of rhino into Tanzania, increasing the national population by almost 10%. The nine rhinos join two eastern black rhinos previously relocated to Singita Grumeti in an ambitious effort to save the species from extinction.

The nine animals, who were carefully selected by age and genetic composition, will be of extreme value to the gene pool of the existing Serengeti rhino population. Fuelled by a lucrative illegal trade in wildlife products, East Africa experienced a poaching crisis over forty years ago, decimating rhino numbers by 99%. From approximately 10,000 animals in 1970, it is estimated that only 100 eastern black rhino roam Tanzania today. The relocation and protection of a new population are therefore critical to the future survival of the species.

The Serengeti Wild Dogs Conservation Project aims to ensure long-term conservation of the African wild dog population in the Serengeti ecosystem. In order to achieve this, several of the most severely threatened packs of wild dogs were identified to be relocated to suitable habitats in the western part of the Serengeti National Park, where they wouldn’t be in conflict with humans and could be safely monitored by the Project. Since April 2015, two packs have been released into the Nyasirori area, southeast of Singita Sabora Tented Camp. Due to a very unfortunate viral attack of canine distemper, the one pack has perished.  The Grumeti Fund is working toward finding more solutions to contribute to the protection of wild dogs in the area.

Greater Kudu Reintroduction
The latest reintroduction project involves returning the locally extinct Greater Kudu to Grumeti. Having recently received final government approvals, this exciting conservation initiative is expected to be completed in the latter part of 2018, subject to funding.