Relocating rhino to create new breeding populations
24 March 2015
Nineteen black rhino were recently released at an undisclosed location in South Africa to
create a new breeding population of the critically endangered animals.
The animals form the 10th population to be facilitated through WWF South Africa's Black
Rhino Range Expansion Project and were made available through the Eastern Cape
Parks and Tourism Agency. Growing rhino populations is part of WWF South Africa's
five-point rhino plan.
Black rhino are more at risk of extinction than white rhino due to their low numbers.
Since the start of the programme in 2003, around 160 black rhino have been relocated
to form new breeding populations, and more than 50 calves have been born on project
sites.
Management plan
"We are extremely proud of the agency's contribution to the conservation of this
species," said Vuyani Dayimani, CEO of Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency. "By
doing this the agency is actively
contributing to the achievement of the objectives of the
national biodiversity management plan for black rhino in South Africa."
One of the key objectives of this plan is to grow the national population as rapidly as
possible by harvesting animals from populations that are at or near ecological carrying
capacity and using these animals to create new populations. This harvesting stimulates
growth in the donor population and also makes animals available for the creation of new
populations.
"We are really grateful for Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency's progressive
approach to the conservation of black rhino," said Dr Jacques Flamand, head of the
Black Rhino Range Expansion Project.
Commitment
"It requires a genuine commitment to conservation to entrust others with the care of
such a large group of these precious animals; but this is for the greater good of the
species. Establishing a new population is extremely exciting for us
because this is
essentially what the project works towards. To see our efforts come to fruition is very
encouraging."
The Black Rhino Range Expansion Project aims to increase the numbers of black rhino
by encouraging rapid population growth. It is a vital part of South Africa's drive to reach
a target of 3 000 black rhino. According to Dr Flamand: "South Africa now has
significantly more black rhino than there would have been without the project's
intervention.
"Founder populations released on to large areas of land have the potential to increase
quickly in number. And moving rhinos from our major parks relieves pressure, allowing
for more rapid growth both at source and in their new terrain."
Security
The Western Black rhino, a subspecies of the black rhino, was officially declared extinct
in 2013 after last being seen in 2006.
The recent translocation involved WWF and Eastern Cape Parks and Tourism Agency
with help
from SANParks and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Six wildlife veterinarians
participated in the project that saw darted animals being airlifted by helicopter to a
central loading area where they were loaded into crates and prepared for a road trip to
their new home.
"The project was kept secret for security reasons and one of the highlights of the
operation was the manner in which the different state agencies supported and assisted
each other to ensure its success," said Dayimani.
As well as focusing on population growth, the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project
supports security efforts on major rhino reserves. It is funded by WWF Netherlands and
supported by the Ford Wildlife Fund. Founder populations for the project sites have
come from game reserves managed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife and Eastern Cape Parks
and Tourism Agency.
Source: World Wildlife Fund
South Africa
A black rhino is airlifted by helicopter during a WWF relocation project. (Image: © Green Renaissance/WWF)
