Runaway rhino returns to Etosha

ONE of the two black rhinos that reportedly escaped from the Etosha National Park recently has been recaptured and returned to the Park.

Acting Deputy Director of Parks and Wildlife Management within the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Colgar Sikopo, confirmed yesterday that the Ministry’s Game Capture Unit had caught and translocated the animal. “One rhino has been captured and has been brought back to Etosha Pan already,” he said.He said that reports indicating that a second animal was in the area had yet to be confirmed.”Game Capture is there and we will know tomorrow,” said Sikopo.He said that so far no reports of harassment or injury to residents were reported.On Monday, the Regional Councillor of Ruacana in Omusati Region Lazarus Kornelius told The Namibian that two black rhinos that had escaped from Etosha were harassing villagers in the Ruacana area of western Omusati Region.It is thought that the rare animals escaped through gaps in the Etosha fence caused by elephants.Kornelius reported their presence to the officials from the Environment Ministry, urging them to act promptly.The Ministry quickly dispatched its Game Capture team to the area and sent other staff to investigate the breaks in the fence.Four black rhino recently fetched N$310 000 each at a Ministry game auction in Windhoek.”One rhino has been captured and has been brought back to Etosha Pan already,” he said.He said that reports indicating that a second animal was in the area had yet to be confirmed.”Game Capture is there and we will know tomorrow,” said Sikopo.He said that so far no reports of harassment or injury to residents were reported.On Monday, the Regional Councillor of Ruacana in Omusati Region Lazarus Kornelius told The Namibian that two black rhinos that had escaped from Etosha were harassing villagers in the Ruacana area of western Omusati Region.It is thought that the rare animals escaped through gaps in the Etosha fence caused by elephants.Kornelius reported their presence to the officials from the Environment Ministry, urging them to act promptly.The Ministry quickly dispatched its Game Capture team to the area and sent other staff to investigate the breaks in the fence.Four black rhino recently fetched N$310 000 each at a Ministry game auction in Windhoek.