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| Location: |
Africa |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Status |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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The picture for the black rhino looks bleaker than ever, the result of continued poaching, encouraged by trade in horn in both N. Yemen and the Far East (Bradley Martin, 1983). The remoter regions in central and northern sectors of the rhino's range seem to be the most vulnerable - the result of increased military arms and well organized poaching gangs (DouglasHamilton, 1983; Western, l983). Less than 390 black and white rhinos survive in Zaire, Chad, Uganda, Sudan, Ethiopia and Somalia, perhaps even half that number, a tenth of the estimates made only 5 years ago (Hiliman, 1980). The losses accord with Bradley Martin's (1983) findings that virtually all the North Yemen imports arrive from Khartoum, the key trade outlet for horn originating in the rhino's entire northern range.
In East and Central Africa, from Kenya to Zambia, a region with about 60% of the continent's rhinos, the picture is more variable, though still grave. According to Borner's recent survey of Ruaha in Tanzania, virtually all of the 500 rhinos reported in the mid-1970s (Norton-Griffiths et al 1980) have been killed and fewer than 20 survive. Similar poaching could soon reach Selous, the last stronghold of black rhinos, if it has not already done so. A review of the status of rhinos in Selous is urgently needed. On the other hand there is evidence from Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia that the stronger muscle put into anti-poaching forces in various parks over the last few years has greatly slowed rhino losses in some important populations, especially the Luangwa Valley in Zambia. Plans for consolidating fragmentary and vulnerable populations in safe sanctuaries are also underway in Kenya, a move which will increase protection of the remaining few hundred animals.
It is in Zimbabwe, Namibia and South Africa, which have 30% of Africa's black rhinos, that prospects look good and the results of active management programmes are most apparent. The lessons arfd methods learned here show that rhinos can be salvaged and rehabilitated within their former range. However, based on prevailing trends, unless similar national conservation plans are formulated immediately in the east and central Africar countries, most of Africa's remaining rhinos could be poached within the next five years.
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The status of rhinos in Africa
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