The San Diego born and bred black rhino was flown to Tanzania in September 2018. The extremely rare (IUCN: Critically Endangered) rhinoceros was donated by the zoo to the East African nation to promote breeding in the Serengeti ecosystem. The animal, named Eric, will find a new home in the private concession Singita Grumeti. The concession will work with the Tanzanian Wildlife Management Authority to stabilize the local black rhino population in the Serengeti Ecosystem.

Eric, who was born at San Diego Zoo Safari Park in 2010, has gone through a month-long preparation program to prepare him for his move. Among other things, the rhino’s food was slowly adapted to the Tanzanian vegetation. Today there are probably only 50 to 100 rhinos left in the Serengeti Ecosystem and less than 5000 worldwide.

© Photo thecitizen.co.tz