Diceros bicornis (Linnaeus, 1758)
CONSERVATION AND RESEARCH ACTIVITIES
(numbered projects are WWF projects)
International: WWF has been working to eliminate the illegal trade in rhino horn through strengthening the Convention on Illegal Trade in Endangered Species of Flora and Fauna (CITES) (Project 9Z0488). TRAFFIC, working with WWF, has launched a report on illegal rhino horn trade in Yemen2526. TRAFFIC has also issued a report on the progress made by rhino range states in implementing Resolution 9.14 of CITES (which called for the states to redouble their efforts for rhino conservation27. Monitoring illegal trade in rhino horn, ivory and other wildlife products is also the focus of Project 9Z0420: Coordination and Development of the TRAFFIC Network. Among the goals of this Project are to halt the trade in rhino horn between East Africa and Yemen and a global assessment of legally-held stocks of rhino horn.
Dehorning programmes:2,8,11,12 In 1991 WWF initiated a conservation programme for Black and White Rhinos in Zimbabwe, translocating rhinos from areas of high poaching activity to areas of relative safety, and dehorning them. By August 1993, 122 Black and 111 White Rhinos had been dehorned. There is evidence that dehorned rhinos are left unharmed by poachers and, it has been argued by some conservationists that if trade in rhino horn is permitted, revenue raised from the sale of amputated horn could be used to fund conservation activities. A similar dehorning programme was initiated in Namibia in 1989. Twenty-five Black Rhinos were dehorned in western Etosha in early 1997 as part of Project 9F0084.
A project supported by Wildlife Conservation International to investigate the effects of dehorning on desert-dwelling Black Rhino was initiated in 1991. The University of Nevada investigated horn growth and regrowth, reproductive behaviour in rhinos with different horn sizes, and range size of males and females in relation to horn and body sizes. Similar research on dehorned White Rhinos showed that the absence of a horn had negligible effects on the animals' behaviour.2
Identification of Rhino Horn:5 Research at the US National Fish and Wildlife Forensic Laboratory has demonstrated a unique pattern of keratin protein in rhino horn which might enable the identification of rhino products in Oriental medicines. The process is currently undergoing refinement.
Africa general: WWF's African Rhino Emergency Fund (Project 9F0084) was set up to answer questions critical to rhino conservation and to undertake quick action in the field where needed. Recently, the project has been supporting the anti-poaching effort in Etosha National Park, Namibia, which holds one of the largest Black Rhino populations in Africa. It also helps support the IUCN Species Survival Commission's African Rhino Specialist Group (SSC AfRSG), a network of rhino experts who provide technical advice to governments and NGOs on rhino conservation issues. An Action Plan, compiled by the Group in 1987, identified three areas of action to conserve African rhinos: 1) political pressure to influence government policy in nations that illegally export or import rhino horn; 2) promoting use of substitute materials (such as water buffalo horn) in place of rhino horn, and restriction of rhino horn trade within and between Asian nations; 3) identification of priority areas for rehabilitation of Black Rhino populations. The AfRSG is currently working on a new African Rhino Action Plan which is due for publication in 1997.
Recently, the AfRSG has undertaken a study of the costs and benefits of rhino conservation in Africa in collaboration with WCS. WWF's Species and Protected Areas Programme Officer, based in Kenya, works closely with the AfRSG and is assisting them to identify and prioritize field projects on rhinos (Project 9F0089). In 1996 specific input was given to Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (ex Zaïre), Kenya, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zimbabwe, advising on and identifying threats to the conservation status of species and habitats. Other objectives of this project are to propose approaches for WWF programme and policy development in species conservation and the development and strengthening of linkages between field-based activities and policy initiatives.
Cameroon: A WWF-sponsored workshop on the highly endangered western subspecies of Black Rhino (D. b. longipes) led to a national plan for its conservation. The Black Rhino is under serious threat from poaching in its range in Cameroon where less than 50 individuals remain.. Its distribution is now patchy and the most westerly population is restricted to a narrow belt lying between Bouba Ndjida, Faro and Garoua, and Adamaoua. Studies were carried out on its status, ecology, behaviour and distribution (Project CM0021) and will assist in the long-term recovery and protection of this subspecies. A new project for 1997 (Project CM0041) will concentrate on the northern savanna areas. Specifically, an assessment of the conservation status and population of the Black Rhino in Benoue and Faro National Parks will be undertaken, as well as an evaluation of the impact of hunting and poaching. WWF will also assist with the development of management plans for the Benoue, Bouba Ndjida and Faro National Parks, including the development of a recovery plan.
Kenya:11,12 The establishment of private and government-run sanctuaries now forms the basis of Kenya's programme of rhino conservation. WWF supports the Kenya Wildlife Service by providing equipment and supplies for a number of sanctuaries including Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Aberdares and Mt Kenya National Parks (Project KE0080: Kenya Black Rhino Conservation and Management). Research on Black Rhino habitat requirements in the sanctuaries is also being undertaken. WWF's Lake Nakuru Conservation and Development Project (KE0069) is helping strengthen the sanctuary's integrity by increasing environmental awareness in local communities and by promoting sustainable land-use in surrounding farmlands. In 1993 approximately 70% of Kenya's rhinos were under this scheme and the Black Rhino population had increased by 20%. Black Rhino numbers in Kenya appear to be stable.
Namibia:11,19 Two of the most important populations of Black Rhino exist in Namibia and Tanzania. The Community Game Guards and Rural Community Project in Kaokoland and Damareland (Project NA0011) is helping conserve the region's Black Rhino by getting people involved in their management. Tourism and craft ventures have been established in addition to anti-poaching patrols and the income from these activities may allow the programme to become self-sustaining. With funding from the EU, WWF is also helping to conserve the rhino in Etosha National Park by incorporating an anti-poaching unit and providing ranger training, funds for infrastructure, and running costs (Project NA0013). One of the aims is to redistribute rhinos both within Namibia and to safer more suitable habitat within the Park itself. During 1996, the internal infrastructure of Etosha National Park was reinforced to aid the conservation of the remaining Black Rhinos, thought to be the largest free ranging population in Africa.
Tanzania: Tanzania is home to two Black Rhino subspecies (D.b. michaeli and D.b.minor) but was hard hit by the 1970s poaching epidemic. The objective of Project TZ0077: Coordinator for Black Rhino Conservation is to provide and maintain coordination for all rhino conservation activities, including the setting up of new Intensive Protection Zones, as part of the new national strategy for conserving Tanzania's remnant rhino populations. A rhino surveillance and monitoring programme is also being launched in the Selous Game Reserve as part of Project TZ0040: Conservation and Management of the Selous Game Reserve.
Zambia: WWF has been funding the Species Protection Department (SPD) of Zambia's Anti-Corruption Commission since 1990. The SPD is responsible for investigating and prosecuting offenders engaged in commercial poaching, especially of the Black Rhino, African elephant and other species, and in the trade and trafficking in products of these and other endangered species (Project ZM0018). In the last six months of 1996, several large seizures were made, resulting in 17 convictions.
Zimbabwe:11,12 Zimbabwe's Rhino Action Plan outlines four aims: to conserve viable populations of Black Rhino in the Parks and Wildlife Estate; to develop translocated breeding nuclei elsewhere in Zimbabwe and to maintain their genetic variability; to develop one or more captive breeding centres in Zimbabwe; to continue to support the international ex situ captive breeding programme. Since 1990, WWF's Project ZW0015: Support for Black Rhino Conservation has been concerned with the consolidation of the rhino conservation effort on large conservancies in the south-eastern Lowveld in particular Save Valley (3,200 km2) and Bubiana (1,200 km2). Rhinos have been translocated into these areas, dehorned and radio collared. Research on population growth, habitat carrying capacity and genetic diversity is ongoing. The Lowveld conservancies now hold 128 Black rhinos, compared to 42 in 1990.
South Africa: South Africa currently holds about 80% of the world's rhinos, a result of decades of good management. WWF provides funding to rhino conservation activities carried out by the Natal Parks Board and the South African National Parks Board.. WWF also supported a survey of rhino habitats, Black Rhino habitat carrying capacity, and provision of improved security monitoring of Black Rhinos in the Kruger National Park.
Southern Africa:1,11 In southern Africa a Rhinoceros Management Group has been formed to co-ordinate conservation activities. A plan is being implemented in South Africa, Namibia, and the states of Transkei, Venda, Bophuthatswana, and Ciskei. Its main role will be facilitating the conservation goals for the species by evaluating the effectiveness of current programmes, developing new strategies, and providing management advice to conservation authorities.
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