 Reference Base  Boma management, construction and techniques for a founde... |
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Walker, C.H., 1992. Boma management, construction and techniques for a founder population of black rhinos (Diceros bicornis minor) as applied in Lapalala Wilderness, South Africa. Pachyderm 15: 40-45
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - South Africa |
| Subject: |
Translocation - Methods |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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Lapalala, South Africa - Diceros bicornis. Release of the rhinos finally commenced on 3 December 1990, after 18 weeks in the bomas. After consulting a number of colleagues, 1 had decided to hold the rhino back, regardless of cost. The delay was necessitated by the poor veld con- ditions resulting from extremely late rains. By this time, the rhino had been almost totally weaned off any artificial food, such as lucerne and game cubes.
The release order was: 1. Bull; 2. Cow; 3. Cow; 4. Bull; 5. Cow
This was accomplished over a period of ten days, one rhino every 48 hours approximately. Two animals were released after dark and three at dawn. No plastic funnel was used, although recommended. This decision was taken in the light of the length of time the animals had spent in the bomas and the calming effect it had upon them. Release in the early evenings presented no problems, with only four people in attendance. The release animal was positioned in the boma next to the southwest release boma with the outer exit gate's poles having been removed earlier in the day. Feed had been reduced and no lucerne given at 4.00 pm. Whilst absolutely calm, the animal was given a small portion of lucerne, whilst the fourth person directed the extraction of the poles. A vehicle was parked some 50 m down the exit road and after the last pole was out, all four people quietly retreated and drove away. The animals came out undisturbed, after our departure. The dawn releases were the same, only this time all staff remained inside the off-ramp. Once the animals had finished eating the lucerne, they did not take long to realise the poles were out and came out very quickly. No problems were experienced.
One bull ran off twice and came back, before finally running off some 70 m, dropping to a trot and then walking away. In each case, the rhino fed on various types of vegetation and showed a high degree of curiosity. Only one rhino returned to the bomas and that was No 2, a cow, seeking water. Unfortunately, in spite of Dr Anthony Hall-Martin advising that both food and water should be available, this was overlooked and the rhino in her search for water damaged two of the outer drains. Dung had been collected prior to release and laid out leading to the river and also placed in numerous areas, as suggested by three specialists. No problems whatsoever were encountered after the final release and the two bulls are in fairly separate locations. Two of the cows have since been seen together and one cow is very settled in the presence of people in vehicles. The other four have reverted to type and are extremely shy.
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