THE HAGUE: The future of black rhinos hangs in the balance after Kenya lost a spirited fight for the repeal of a decision allowing Namibia and South Africa their hunting quota granted in 2004.

A stalemate on the proposal forced a vote where South Africa and Namibia won with 65 votes against Kenya’s 15 with 11 abstentions.

Offers by Rwanda and Democratic Republic of Congo to pay for the excess male black rhinos in South Africa and Namibia as well as meet their translocation costs were conveniently ignored.

Botswana and Japan supported the continued hunting of black rhinos and rejected other options including sale to other African range states to re-establish populations that have become extinct.

Mr Ben Okita, who presented Kenya’s proposal on Tuesday evening, expressed disappointment with emerging voting patterns at the CITES where regional blocs and political interests take centre stage.

He noted that in such situations, animals or species that are truly endangered suffer. “It’s very disappointing that no matter how many facts you give, parties come to the conference with a concluded stand on an issue and it’s extremely difficult to convince them otherwise,” he said.

He added that the decision did not give a chance to research on the link between hunting quotas of endangered species approved by CITES and poaching.

The decision also denies an opportunity for former African range states a chance to generate revenue from rhino related tourism.

Now that the conference had decided, he said: “We have to continue with intensive protection, education and awareness to the public about the importance of rhinos and their monetary value.”

Since the black rhino quota was established at the 13th Conference of Parties, one species of rhinos (D. b. longpipes) which only existed in Cameroon has been declared extinct.

In Rwanda, just one black rhino (D. b. michaeli) survives after one was killed in 2006.

The wild population of rhinos declined by more than 90 per cent in 60 years reaching a low number of 2410 in 1995. Better protection and management allowed the population to increase to 3610 by 2005, according to International Rhino Foundation records. However, this remains low compared to an estimated population of 65,000 in 1970.

Kenya has a population of 540 black rhinos and 240 white rhinos according to Kenya Wildlife Service, the government agency in charge of wildlife.

Last month, three Kenyan game rangers were killed and one seriously injured in a gunfight where four poachers were also shot dead.

“We believe these poachers were on the way to the rhino sanctuary in Tsavo West,” said Mr Okita.

Last year, one game ranger was injured and three poachers killed in an incident where four rhino horns and lethal weapons were recovered.