Cumming, D., 1987. Zimbabwe and the conservation of black rhino. Zimbabwe Science News 21 (5/6): 59-62, figs. 1-3
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| Location: |
Africa |
| Subject: |
Conservation |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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Black rhino became the highest priority two years ago and the main components of the AERSG Action plan for black rhino are as follows (extracts from Chairman's report in Pachyderm No. 7);
Field Action
1. Develop a conservation strategy for the black rhino.
The continuing rapid decline of black rhino populalions in most parts of its range coupled with the fact that many viable populations do sill exist in the wild merits the placing of black rhino, as opposed to the northern white rhino, as the top prioity for conservation action. The development of a continental conservation strategy for the species involves three major, and preferably concurrent, actions:
1.1 Examine the taxonomic status of presently described subspecies of black rhino so as to provide a sound basis for ordering priorities for action amongst the now geographically separated populations in Africa.
1.2 Develop national conservation plans for those countries with more than 100 black rhino. Priorities for action would need to be examined once the results of taxonomic studies were available and national plans had been drafted. (See below).
1.3 Promote the dissemination of information and expertise necessary to implement and support the international and national rhino conservation plans.
Trade priorities
1. Rhino horn
1.1 North Yemen. Take action to reduce the demand for rhino horn and, if possible, close down the trade.
1.2 East Asia. Take action to reduce the demand for rhino horn and, if possible, close down the trade in horn.
1.3 Investigate the movement of horn within Africa.
1.4 Investigate discrepancies between reported declines of rhino populations and amount of horn appearing in the trade.
1.5 Inform governments of the value, and potential value, of their rhino populations and so encourage the allocation of more resources to their conservations
Progress is being made on each of these items. At the AERSG meeting in Luangwa in July, 1986, AERSG priorities for field action for black rhino populations throughout Africa were examined in terms of paragraph 1.2 under Field Action of the Action Plan (see above). The top five of the priority areas are given below and these highlight the importance of the Zimbabwean populations in the conservation of black rhino in the wild in Africa.
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Zimbabwe and the conservation of black rhino
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