Protect Mountainlands: Threatened Wildlife Refuge

Mountainlands Nature Reserve Update

Mountainlands Nature Reserve, spanning 18,000 hectares within the UNESCO-listed Barberton Makhonjwa World Heritage Site, remains a cornerstone of our long-term rewilding strategy. Following their transition into this protected landscape, our monitoring teams report that the newly released rhinos are adapting exceptionally well. They are exploring their expanded home, grazing naturally, and settling into stable social structures alongside the existing wild population, a encouraging sign of their full integration back into the landscape.

Ensuring their continued safety across such vast and rugged terrain requires a multi-layered security model. In March, 25 rangers, including three female rangers, graduated from an intensive month-long Junior Leader Course, advancing their tactical field skills and leadership to secure the reserve’s perimeters. These leaders work alongside our specialized Mounted Patrol Unit and K9 tracking teams, supported from above by certified drone pilots operating AI-driven aerial surveillance.

To further safeguard the population, all rhinos within the reserve have undergone proactive dehorning. While a difficult decision, horn trimming remains one of the most effective deterrents against poaching syndicates. These carefully managed operations also allow our veterinary teams to perform full health assessments and fit AI-powered tracking collars. Working in tandem with long-range cameras and field monitoring teams, this technology allows us to track movement and behavior in real time, ensuring that every rhino released into Mountainlands can thrive safely in the wild.

Without your support, none of this would be possible. Thank you so much for your support and generosity.