 Reference Base  Status of the black rhinoceros in the Masai Mara National... |
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Morgan-Davies, M., 1996. Status of the black rhinoceros in the Masai Mara National Reserve, Kenya. Pachyderm 21: 38-45, figs. 1-5, table 1
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Despite the accomplishments of FOC and the NCC over the past decade, there is no room for complacency. What has been gained in ten years could be lost overnight. The following recommendations are made in the long-term interests of rhino management within the Reserve.
Fire management
Uncontrolled, annual (and sometimes biannual), hot fires, are having a notable and deleterious effect on the remaining thicket and woodland habitat of the rhino, specifically with regard to food resources. Fire is not a new phenomenon for the Reserve for it has played an important role in the vegetation dynamics of the area over a long period (Dublin, 1991). If permitted to continue, uncontrolled fire will lead to the loss of even more valuable rhino habitat. The management authorities must decide now if the Reserve should remain a predominantly grassland habitat, which is what it is at present (and which is largely unsuitable for black rhino), or if fires should be managed and controlled, thereby maintaining and improving a mixed woodland and grassland habitat. Improved habitat management would cater both for the annual migration of grazers from the Serengeti and for the maintenance of the largest, free-ranging population of the black rhino in Kenya. The Reserve has had an approved fire management plan since 1993 but its implementation is now long overdue. This, together with a study of the impact of fire on rhino habitat, feeding patterns and browse availability, is a priority.
Movement of rhinos between Masai Mara and the Serengeti
Between 1992 and 1995 the standard of rhino surveillance and monitoring improved appreciably. An important outcome of this has been better knowledge of the individual rhinos and greater awareness of the extent of their movements back and forth between the Reserve and northern Serengeti. Rhinos require exceptionally close surveillance, monitoring and security. Although there is an anti stock-theft unit in the vicinity to monitor and combat cattle rustling and to help the security of visitors in the area, its duties do not officially include surveillance or security of the local rhino population. A dedicated ranger post should be placed at a strategic location along the Sand River, from here a minimum of six, suitably equipped rhino surveillance rangers can operate. In addition, some form of regular and joint Mara/Serengeti rhino surveillance and monitoring patrols should be undertaken along the Kenya/ Tanzania international boundary.
Illegal encroachment of livestock
Black rhinos are normally very shy of cattle and have had to abandon about 50 km? of two prime habitats in the Reserve, one immediately south of the Talek River, the other in the northern Ngama Hills. Continuous, illegal incursions into these two areas by hundreds of domestic livestock, which originate from neighbouring group ranches on the Reserve's northern boundary, are denying the rhinos two important habitat localities in the Keekorok area. The Reserve's new by-laws cater for the prosecution of illegal grazing and they should now be strongly enforced.
Ranger training
Since the inception of a ranger force specifically for rhino surveillance and monitoring, inadequate attention has been given to the practical and theoretical training of these men and their officers. A suitable in-service training programme similar to that of the Natal Parks Board (Sandwith, 1990), incorporating aspects of rhino biology and the status of the rhino as a highly valuable, endangered species is urgently required. After successfully completing such a programme, the rangers should not be withdrawn or replaced after only a few months of service as is frequently the case now. The long-term presence of motivated and well-disciplined personnel who have an extensive knowledge of the individual rhinos under their charge and a high degree of esprit de corps, is an essential component of an efficient rhino surveillance, monitoring and security programme.
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