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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Sudan |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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Plans and priorities. Garamba National Park (4900 km?) in Zaire is now the best hope for conservation of the northern white rhinos in the wild. Aerial and ground surveys were carried out there in March as follows:
a) A 10% systematic aerial sample count was made over the whole park and surrounding game reserve and the proposed Lantoto National Park, directly comparable with that carried out by the FAO team in 1976.
b) A 46% intensive aerial sample count was made over the southern third (1609 km? ) of the park, during which only rhinos and elephants were recorded.
c) The park staff carried out their regular ground count, walking transects spaced at 2km intervals over the southern third of the park.
d) Simultaneous high intensity 'total' counts were made by guards walking 500m spaced transects and by ourselves flying over an 84km2 rhino 'concentration' area.
e) The total number of individually recognised animals was extrapolated. Six rhinos were seen within the aerial sample transects and another five individuals outside. The preliminary estimate from the 46% count was 15. From aerial and ground observations approximately 17 individuals can be accounted for. The results from the high intensity counts indicate that some rhinos may have been missed from the air, but inconsistencies in the ground counts make it impossible to apply correction factors. Our estimate therefore from a critical examination of all results is that at least 15 to 20, possibly more, white rhinos still exist in Garamba. They are confined to a fairly localised area.
The population is dangerously low but should be viable if a major input is made in Garamba and the northern whites already in captivity are managed to improve breeding with potential for genetic exchange. Garamba is a beautiful, productive and well-watered area with large numbers of other animal species, particularly buffaloes and elephants (of which there are estimated to be 5000 in 1600 km? ). Another major advantage is well established infrastructure which can be re-developed.
The park staff lack equipment, funds, vehicles and supplies IZCN has already taken steps to concentrate on rhino protection and research under Mankoto ma Oyisenzo and has invited an expatriate researcher. Some of the equipment priorities identified during the November mission have already been met. Other urgent requirements are needed immediately. A larger project should be developed to ensure that the rhinos protected and managed along with the whole ecosystem. Patrol bases are presently being established in the rhino area for intensive surveillance. Radio collaring is suggested as part of the future programme of intensive protection and management.
Strong possibilities exist for tourist development of the Garamba, which has several unique features, in particular the only African elephant domestication project. Although there are only four surviving trained elephants, there are proposals to catch and train more.
An excellent chance now exists to save the last most viable northern white rhinos in the wild, while conserving and developing a fabulous area. It must be seized.
The results of the survey have emphasised how important it is to develop the breeding and management of the northern wh ite rh inos already in captiv ity. It was believed that there were only fourteen in captivity but recent information indicates that there are more. The possibility of consolidating these animals into two groups is being considered and the International Union of Directors of Zoological Gardens and American Association of Zoo Parks and Aquariums have agreed to oversee a programme. The largest group at present is the eight in Czechoslovakia which are breeding, but slowly. Artificial insemination is being developed and it is possible that semen could be collected from immobilised wild rhinos in Garamba.
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Der Nashornbestand in Afrika
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