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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Zimbabwe |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Zambezi Valley - Kariba Gorge to Mozambique Border: an area of about 4,000 square miles bounded in the east by the Mozambique border and Hunyani river, in the south by the Tsetse Control game fence, and to the west and north by the Zambezi river, and Lake Kariba.
Roth considered conditions in this section of the valley to be fairly uniform, and on this basis, and using the above-mentioned density figures of 4.5 - 5.3 square miles per rhino, postulated a rough estimate of 590 - 750 animals. But the 'uniform conditions' assumption is erroneous. Neither the vegetation nor the terrain is homogeneous, as we know from interpretation of aerial photographs of the entire area, combined with a relatively detailed local knowledge of it. Although incomplete, Kerr's mapping of rhinoceros distribution in this area, using all ground and aerial sighting records, indicates that the animals are not uniformly distributed but are clumped in a series of pockets which, we think, are related to favourable habitat and water availability. Our information suggests that this area supports a minimum population of about 425 rhinoceros; lack of detailed knowledge makes it impossible to provide a maximum figure, but we think that Roth's figures of 590-750 animals, which he calls a very rough estimate, is over-optimistic.
This section of the Zambezi Valley is divided into seven areas: the Dande Tribal Trust Land; two game reserves and a controlled hunting area on national land; two hunting areas, and an undesignated area on unreserved land (Land Apportionment Act Chapter 257).
Dande Tribal Trust Land: The limited information available on this lightly settled area indicates a population of 40 rhinoceros.
Chewore Wilderness Area (c.1240 square miles): Roth considered that this reserve supported the densest population in Rhodesia, between 260 and 300 animals. We have no evidence for such high numbers and consider 125 a safe minimum number. This area is seldom patrolled on foot but indications are that poaching is taking a heavy toll.
Sapi Controlled Hunting Area (c. 453 square miles): A minimum figure of 60 animals is postulated. The area is predominantly dense bushland thicket and difficult to assess either from the air or on the ground.
Mane Pools Game Reserve (c. 860 square miles): Probably about 60 animals, but because of extensive sections of bushland thicket this may be too conservative.
Nyakasanga Controlled Hunting Area (c. 630 square miles): A minimum population of about 40. As a result of heavy hunting pressure since 1960 and the lack of large areas of bushland thicket rhinoceros have probably moved into more favourable adjacent areas. They are not often seen in this area so we feel our estimate is not too conservative.
Urungwe Controlled Hunting Area (c. 400 square miles): Although subjected to heavy hunting pressure since 1960, the extensive areas of bushland thicket here appear to have been a refuge for the rhinoceros. Some fairly comprehensive spoor counts carried out recently by Ranger R. Hill suggest a minimum of 60 animals here.
Kariba Area (c. 407 square miles): Little information is available but a rough estimate is 400 rhinoceros.
Zambezi Valley - South of Lake Kariba
For the remainder of the main distribution area Roth applied density indices varying between 4 - 10 square miles per rhinoceros, and calculated a total of about 400 to 650, of which only about 200 to 240 were possibly on national land.
Matusiadona Game Reserve (c. 539 square miles): Warden P. P. Coetsee who has had an intimate knowledge of the Reserve in recent years, estimates a population of 65 rhinoceros, but since 50 per cent of the reserve is broken mountainous terrain and difficult to cover effectively, he thinks this estimate is conservative and that the figure may be as high as 90. The figure of 65 agrees fairly closely with the estimate of 50 - 60 animals given by Roth, who pointed out that the reserve had not been surveyed. The Tribal Trust Lands south of the reserve in the Gokwe District are known to support at least 40 rhinoceros, mostly in pockets along the Sabara, Poliwe and Sesswni rivers. (Warden P. P. Coetsee and Research Officer D. Cumming).
Chizarira Game Reserve (c. 518 square miles): After a brief survey in October, 1965, Kerr estimated the population at 50 animals (Departmental Report). In an aerial survey, in September, 1968, he spotted 24 rhinoceros, and on the basis of this the population is estimated at 75 animals. In the Binga district Warden W. R. Thomson, stationed at Binga, has gathered a great deal of information on rhinoceros numbers and distribution. On tribal land, excluding the reserves, the district is considered to hold about 50 rhinoceros. For the Chete Game Reserve (353 square miles) a very rough estimate is 25 rhinoceros. Recent reports from the area indicate a high mortality rate during the past few years.
For the area south of Lake Kariba our figures suggest a minimum population of 255 rhinoceros, of which probably only 165 are on national land. These figures are well below the totals calculated by Roth which again we believe to be over optimistic.
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Black rhinoceros in Rhodesia
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