Brooks, M., 1983. South Africa celebrates rhino successes. Newsletter of the African Elephant and Rhino Group 2: 15-16
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
White Rhino |
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translocation policy. No further removals took place until 1977 when it was agreed that a further 20 black rhinos could be made available from Hluhluwe over a 5 year period to large conservation areas within the species former range and where habitat conditions were suitable. In the meantime, we re-assessed the population structure in Hluhluwe and Umfolozi using data from 1975-1977 and found that the sex and age ratios were very similar to those reported in 1972 by Peter Hitchins, and as recorded deaths had decreased we assumed that the population had probably not declined. This assessment was carried out during a high rainfall cycle when black rhinos were unlikely to have been under significant environmental stress, and the removals represented less than the expected rate of increase for Hluhluwe of 5%. The next dry cycle began in 1977/78, the stocking rates of both grazers and browsers in the reserve were above carrying capacity and the habitat rapidly deteriorated. By 1979 most of the vegetation monitoring sites showed over-utilisation of the browse resources and 5 black rhino deaths were recorded in the late winter in Umfolozi. To pre-empt a population decline such as had occurred in the 1960s, Peter Hitchins and Jeremy Anderson recommended that the black rhino density in Umfolozi should be reduced, and 14 animals were removed in 1980. The dry cycle continued, so in late 1980 Tony Whateley, Jeremy Anderson and I decided to re-sample population structures throughout the area. This was made possible through a donation of helicopter hours by the Endangered Wildlife Trust. A total of 128 rhino, or 37% of the population, were contacted in 19 hours flying. The results were extremely interesting, as the percentages of immature rhino under 3.5 years old in Hluhluwe and Umfolozi (excluding the central corridor) were only 11 % and 8% respectively, and no calves under a year were recorded in Umfolozi.
On the basis of this study, it was recommended that the population density of black rhino throughout Hluhluwe-Umfolozi should be depressed by removing 30 animals in 1981, and that thereafter the 'expected' rate of increase each year should be removed. A similar policy was adopted for Mkuzi and Ndumu Game Reserves, so that as from 1982 about 19 black rhino became available annually.
In this way, a total of 135 rhino have been moved from the Zululand Reserves since 1962. Within Natal, the recipients have been Ndumu (15), ltala (23) and Weenen (4); while trans- locations externally have been limited to Pilanesberg Game Reserve in Bophutatswana (23) and Kruger National Park in the Transvaal (70).
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South Africa celebrates rhino successes
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