Conservation Projects
of the Dvur Kralove Zoo
Since the late 1970s, the Dvur Kralove Zoo has been one of the most important breeders of African ungulates in the world. For example, the zoo is the only animal park where the northern white rhino has ever bred in captivity (four calves). Apart from its breeding activities, the zoo also supports in situ projects aimed at returning animals to their natural habitats.
So far the zoo has sent three black rhinos and 31 antelopes (26 roan antelopes, 2 sable antelopes, 2 scimitar-horned oryx, 1 adax) back to their homeland in Africa. We have shipped to Africa 81 African buffaloes, too, in their case to private farms with intensive breeding care. In 2009, the zoo collaborated with its partners to transfer four northern white rhinos – perhaps the world’s most endangered mammal today – to Africa as well. Representatives of the zoo are members of the expert committee struggling to save the northern white rhino from extinction.
Black Rhinos
In 2009, the Dvur Kralove Zoo shipped three black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) to the Mkomazi National Park in Tanzania. Female Deborah and males Jamie and Jabu settled so well that small female Hilla was born to Deborah in 2011. The zoo thus successfully participate in a project, that helps to save rhinos not only in Tanzania, but in the whole Eastern Africa.
More on black rhinos in Tanzania
Northern White Rhinos
In December 2009, the Dvur Kralove Zoo sent four northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) to the Ol Pejetea Conservancy, Kenya. The zoo is the only animal park in the world where the northern white rhino has been bred, however, it was back in 2000 when the last calf was born. So the rhinos were shipped to Africa in the hope that natural surroundings close to their original habitat would prompt their breeding.
