Rhinoceroses (rhinos) are under threat worldwide. Outcomes for south-western black rhino have already realised and the good conservation efforts should continue. Conservation managers will need to improve the protection of southern white rhino, while the Department of Environmental Affairs need to be made aware of the challenges specifically associated with not achieving targets for south-central black rhino. SANParks' primary challenge in achieving its contribution to South Africa's rhino conservation targets is associated with curbing poaching in Kruger National Park.ĬONSERVATION IMPLICATIONS: The status and trends of rhino species in SANParks highlight key challenges associated with achieving the national targets of South Africa. To continue to evaluate the achievement of these targets, SANParks needs annual population estimates relying on total counts, mark-recapture techniques and block-based sample counts to track trends in rhino populations. For southern white rhinos, SANParks requires 5% annual growth for its contribution to the South African target of 20 400 individuals. South-central black rhinos declined over the study period because of poaching in the Kruger National Park, making it difficult for SANParks to realise a 9% increase per annum for its expected contribution to the South African target of 2800 individuals. South-western black rhinos increased over the study period, which allows SANParks to achieve its contribution to South Africa's 2020 target of 260 individuals. We include and report on rhino surveys in Kruger National Park during 20. We collated information on rhino population sizes in seven national parks from 2011 to 2015. South African national parks, under the management of South African National Parks (SANParks), are custodian to 49% of South Africa's white and 31% of the country's black rhinos. VIVeterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Port Elizabeth, South AfricaĪfrican rhinoceroses (rhinos) experienced a poaching onslaught since 2008 with the epicentre in South Africa where most of the world's rhinos occur. VVeterinary Wildlife Services, South African National Parks, Skukuza, South Africa IVScientific Services, South African National Parks, Knysna, South Africa IIIScientific Services, South African National Parks, Cape Town, South Africa IIScientific Services, South African National Parks, Kimberley, South Africa IScientific Services, South African National Parks, Skukuza, South Africa Cowell III Angela Gaylard IV Cathy Greaver I Jessica Hayes IV Markus Hofmeyr V Lizette Moolman-van der Vyver IV David Zimmermann VI This animal is protected under the CITES treaty and conservationists have tried removing the horns to discourage poaching, but poaching still seems to continue.The status of rhinoceroses in South African National Parks It is also considered a symbol of wealth in many countries, and in Asia is it is considered a valuable source of medicine. The horn is used for ornamental dagger handles and worth over $20,000 in the black market. The main cause of decline is poaching and the demand for its horn. In the 1960s an estimated 70,000 black rhinos were found in Africa and in 1981 the numbers had dropped to around 15,000, and only twelve years later, slightly more than 2000 of the population remained. There are four subspecies of black rhinoceros: The South-central black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis minor), the South-western black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis bicornis), the East African black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis michaeli), and the West African Black Rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis longipes). The calf remains with the mother for up to three years. The female gives birth to only one calf after a gestation period of 15 to 18 months. Males wonder alone until it is time to breed or when wallowing in waterholes with other rhinos. Breeding occurs year-round, but most births occur during the rainy season. The black rhinoceros eats mostly leaves, young shoots and twigs. This species is known to be aggressive especially when detecting danger. Two horns appear on the black rhino's head, the front one being longer and measuring up to 53 inches in length. Their sinus passages are said to be larger than their brains. Rhinos have poor vision but a good sense of smell. The black rhino can weigh from 2000 to 4000 lb, though it can move very quickly (up to 35 mph) when ready to charge, and can reach a body length of 9 to 12 feet. The mud helps keep insects off and keeps the rhinos cool in the hot African climate. Its skin may sometimes appear black after its daily mud bath in black or brown marshy areas. The skin of the black rhinoceros is gray and not black as its common name may suggest. The black rhinoceros is one of the two species of rhinoceros found in Africa.
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