Rhino
Programme
As is widely
known around the World, the black rhino, Diceros bicornis,
has declined across Africa in both numbers and range distribution.
Its numbers plummeted from about 65,000 in 1970 to about
10,000 in the early 1980s. Although the rate of decline
has reduced since late 1980s, the situation is still serious
in all areas where the black rhino is still found naturally.
Poaching for the horn has been, and continues to be, the
major cause of the black rhino population decline. Currently,
the total population of black rhino in Africa is estimated
at 3100, according to African Rhino Specialist Group.
The
decline in the eastern sub-species of black rhino, Diceros
bicornis michaeli, numbers has been particularly severe
in Eastern Africa. Previously, very large national parks and
reserves such as the Tsavo National Park and Selous Game Reserve
in Tanzania each used to hold more black rhino population
than those surviving today across the entire African continent.
In Kenya, black rhino numbers dropped from an estimated 20,000
in 1970 to an estimated 550 in 1984, 381 in 1987 and, 398
in 1991. This drastic decline was mainly due to poaching for
the horn, which took place unabatedly inside and outside Protected
Areas, parks and reserves.
Through
such conservation endeavours as the "National Save the
Rhino Project" (1984), Kenya Rhino Rescue Project (KRRP,
1985) and the Conservation Strategy and Management Plan for
the Black Rhinoceros (1993), the remaining black rhino population
in Kenya has been protected from further poaching. The numbers
of rhinos continue to increase within major sanctuaries, both
KWS and the private sanctuaries, at an annual rate of 4-5%,
while rhino numbers in the large and difficult areas have
remained stable. This made Kenya's rhino management programme
one of the most successful species rehabilitation projects
in the World.
The
main policy for conservation of the rhinos during the past
decade was to protect the remaining black rhinos and enhance
rapid population growth through active management.
KWS
has now adopted a new management plan for rhino conservation
in Kenya. The broad goals of the current strategy are to enhance
rapid population growth of the black rhino population in Kenya
through increased attention to biological management, in addition
to law enforcement. Specifically, the goal is to increase
the black rhino numbers by at least 5% per annum and reach
a confirmed total of 500 rhinos by 2005, 650 rhinos by 2010
and 1000 rhinos by 2020. The current programme is guided by
the following strategic objectives:
-
Development
and implementation of an effective co-ordination framework
for decision-making.
-
Implementation
of biological management that will result in an overall
population growth rate of at least 5% per annum leading
to a confirmed population of 500 in 2005,
-
Minimisation
of poaching losses through appropriate management action
improved law enforcement and community support.
-
Development
of a standardised integrated monitoring system through
which the necessary information for protection, meta-population
management and programme implementation will be provided.
-
Mobilisation
of the resources necessary for the effective and efficient
management of designated rhino areas.
-
Promotion
of sustainable mutual support and shared responsibilities
of all rhino conservation stakeholders for effective implementation
of the current plan.
To
facilitate realisation of these objectives, the programme
has installed a database of rhino numbers and information.
This will improve on monitoring of the rhinos, both for security
and biological research and management. The rhino staff were
also trained on radio collar assemblage, radio tracking, use
of Global Positioning System (GPS), receivers and rhino post
release management.
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