|
|
|
|
| |
| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Namibia |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Poaching |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
 |
|
|
The terrible population crash during the later 1970's and early 1980's was mainly due to poaching and the population dropped from an estimated 100 in Damaraland and 150 in Kaokoland (Gart Owen-Smith, pers comm). The poaching massacre was curtailed by intervention from concerned conservationists both from the Government Department of Agriculture and Nature Conservation and from the private sector, when a number of non-government organisations combined their funds to help protect the rhino and elephant of Damaraland. One of these `NGO's' was the Endangered Wildlife Trust which sponsored vehicles, fuel, salaries and expenses amounting to over R150 000 during a period of active research, extension work and education. Since 1984 the Department of Agriculture and Nature Conservation has increased its staff in the region and poaching of rhino and other game is better controlled. However, three rhino were poached during the past two years, and it is imperative therefore that the monitoring and surveillance of the rhino population continue. Extention work amongst the local human population must also be maintained if we are to keep the prospective poachers at bay. Aerial surveillance is an essential factor to reach inaccessible places. Ground monitoring of rhino movements with records of each individual rhino has been meticulously conducted and identification files have been compiled.
|
|
|
The rhinos of Damaraland - how are they faring?
File available
details
Original text on this topic: