 Reference Base  A study of the survival means of the black rhino (Diceros... |
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Loutit, B.D., 1984. A study of the survival means of the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) in the arid areas of Damaraland and Skeleton Coast Park. Quagga 7: 4-5, figs. 1-3
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Namibia |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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A viable but endangered population of black rhinos ( Diceros bicornis L.) survives in the very arid country of western Damaraland, bordering the Skeleton Coast Park. The park in unfenced, allowing free movement of game in and out. The eastern boundary of the Skeleton Coast Park was designed by ruler and pen without consideration for the ecology nor for the effective conservation or protection of game species. Important permanent waterholes were left outside the protection of the park, some of them as little as 3 km from the boundary. Elephant and rhino feeding routes are found deep into the true desert in sand-dune country, and elephants have been seen on the beaches of the cold Atlantic coast.
The larger portion of the rhino population is resident north of the veterinary control fence which bisects western Damaraland from east to west. This has unfortunately left a number of individuals isolated in the immediate vicinity of the fence. One of these is a breeding cow with a calf. A young lone cow was recently 'herded' by Land-Rover from south of the fence to join the northern population inside the Skeleton Coast Park. If funds were available it would be advisable to move the remaining five individuals living close to the fence to join the larger population in the north-west.
An isolated population survives much further south near the Ugab river. This part of Damaraland is scenically spectacular. Vast plains dotted with granite boulder islands and dominated by towering mountain fortresses are the home of the southernmost population in Namibia. In dry times the black rhinos traverse extremely rugged terrain to waterholes far from their feeding grounds.
A study of their means of survival and nutritional needs under these stressful conditions has been initiated through a grant to cover fuel costs from the People's Trust for Endangered Species. At present our private Land-Rover is being used and funds are needed to purchase a vehicle to continue the study and patrol the area, which is vulnerable to poaching. Although no rhinos have been found poached in the past four years, recently a number of mountain zebras (Equus hartmannac), kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros) and ostriches (Struthio camelus) have been snared with disc snares. Game numbers have increased favourably since the study and monitoring has taken place. The population of rhinos is small but healthy, consisting of:
2 M adults, 2 F adults, 1 F sub-adult, 1 M calf [6 individuals photographed], 2 of unknown sex, 2 or more others [4+ in extreme desert]
The aridity of the terrain suggests that the black rhinos here would occupy much larger home ranges than in other parts of Africa. The condition of the rhinos appears to be consistently good and recruitment rates are good. This applies to rhinos in general in Damaraland and those last few surviving in Kaokoland.
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