Rhino conservation strategy

Dr Mike Knight & Dr Richard Emslie

DEA, SANParks, Provincial conservation agencies, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Private land owners, WRSA, specialists, plans for Botswana, Malawi, Zambia & Tanzania

National conservation authorities, DEA, Private landowners

African rhino range state reps, RMG chair, TRAFFIC, specialists, RESG/Interpol, private land owners donors

CITES

Rhino & Elephant Security Group/ Interpol Environmental Crime Working Group

RESG

Roles of SADC RMG

• Advisory body (initially black rhinos) - now white rhinos • Biological management • Technical advice • Facilitates cooperation nationally & regionally = TRUST • Share rhino management experiences to lower level • Regional black rhino status reports – 23 years data! • Draft rhino management plans • Assists DEA in hunting applications reviews • Provides information to AfRSG • Engages with Rhino & Elephant Security Group

Extensive rhino experience &

understanding

Historical occurrence of Africa’s rhinos

Species Persisted in Lost from Reintroduced to

Black 5 (SA, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tanzania

20 4 (Malawi, Zambia, Swaziland, Botswana)

S’n White 1 (SA)

4 6 (Botswana, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Mozambique, Zambia, Kenya)

SA played major role in the persistence and recovery of rhinos

Lost from ≈ 70% of range states

Africa’s black rhinos

2000

2500

3000

3500

4000

4500

5000

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Year

Nu

mb

er

of

bla

ck

rh

ino

s

SA=39% SADC = 88%

(4,210)

Africa’s white rhinos

5000

7000

9000

11000

13000

15000

17000

19000

21000

1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003 2005 2007 2009

Year

Nu

mb

er

of

wh

ite r

hin

os

SA=93% SADC= 98%

(19,770)

Species White rhino Black rhino

Subspecies C.s.cotto

ni

C.s.simu

m

Total Trend D.b.bicor

nis

D.b.micha

eli

D.b.min

or

Total Trend

(norther

n)

(southern

)

(south-

western)

(eastern) (souther

n-

central)

South Africa 18,796 18,796 Up 171 60 1,684 1,915 Up

Namibia 469 469 Up 1,750 1,750 Up

Kenya 4 361 365 Up 594 594 Up

Zimbabwe 290 290 Down 431 431 Down

Angola 1 1 ?

Botswana 135 135 Up 7 7 Up

Malawi 24 24 Up

Mozambiqu

e

6 6 Down 1 1 ?

Swaziland 88 88 Up 17 17 Stable

Tanzania 88 25 113 Up/Dow

n?

Uganda 9 9 Up

Zambia 7 7 +Intro 27 27 Up+Intro

Totals 4 20,160 20,170 Up 1,920 740 2,220 4,880 Up

Rhino Numbers in Africa: Dec 31 2010 SA=83%

SADC = 96% of Africa’s SA 73% of worlds population

Big 4 countries = 98.7%

Big 4 countries = 96%

SA rhino ownership

11424

4339

4977 SANParks

Provincialreserves

Private

23%

21% 56%

South Africa rhino pops

5000

7000

9000

11000

13000

15000

17000

19000

210002

001

20

02

20

03

20

04

20

05

20

06

20

07

20

08

20

09

20

10

Nu

mb

ers

Years

South African rhino population

Black white

2010:

Tot = 20,690 (82%)

WR = 18,780

BR = 1,900

Pvt Total: 23% (4977)

WR=22% (400+ pops),

BR=23% (40+)

Surveys of white

rhinos on Pvt land &

SADC black rhinos

Reasons for S’n Africa’s successful rhino programme

• Increased value in rhinos & wildlife (ecotourism, hunting & sales of live) • Sustainable use philosophy = vibrant wildlife industry •Ownership of wildlife extended to private land owners & custodians • Generally supportive & committed conservation authorities

• LETS NOT LOSE THIS: poaching = mining resource • BLACK MARKET PRICE for horn fueling demand

Rapid escalation then levelling off then increase again since Dec 2011

Rhinos poached/day in SA

0.03

0.230.33

0.91

1.23

1.52

0.58

0.93

1.21 1.17 1.16 1.14

1.48

1.69

1.28

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

18 Y

rs 1

990-2

007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Jan-2

8 M

ay

2012

Jan-A

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2010

May-A

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010

Sept-D

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Jan-M

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2011

Apr-

Jun 2

011

Jul-S

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Oct

-Dec 2

011

Jan-M

ar

2012

April-M

ay2

8 2

012

Rhino poaching in SA

Rapid escalation then levelling off then increase again since Dec 2011

Rhinos poached/day in SA

0.03

0.230.33

0.91

1.23

1.52

0.58

0.93

1.21 1.17 1.16 1.14

1.48

1.69

1.28

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

18 Y

rs 1

990-2

007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Jan-2

8 M

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2012

Jan-A

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2010

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Sept-D

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Jan-M

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2011

Apr-

Jun 2

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Jul-S

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Oct

-Dec 2

011

Jan-M

ar

2012

April-M

ay2

8 2

012

Rhino poaching in SA

2010

Rapid escalation then levelling off then increase again since Dec 2011

Rhinos poached/day in SA

0.03

0.230.33

0.91

1.23

1.52

0.58

0.93

1.21 1.17 1.16 1.14

1.48

1.69

1.28

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

18 Y

rs 1

990-2

007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Jan-2

8 M

ay

2012

Jan-A

pr

2010

May-A

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010

Sept-D

ec2

010

Jan-M

ar

2011

Apr-

Jun 2

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Jul-S

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Oct

-Dec 2

011

Jan-M

ar

2012

April-M

ay2

8 2

012

Rhino poaching in SA

2010 2011

• Xmas peak! •Alarming rate of increase

Rapid escalation then levelling off then increase again since Dec 2011

Rhinos poached/day in SA

0.03

0.230.33

0.91

1.23

1.52

0.58

0.93

1.21 1.17 1.16 1.14

1.48

1.69

1.28

0.00

0.20

0.40

0.60

0.80

1.00

1.20

1.40

1.60

1.80

18 Y

rs 1

990-2

007

2008

2009

2010

2011

Jan-2

8 M

ay

2012

Jan-A

pr

2010

May-A

ug 2

010

Sept-D

ec2

010

Jan-M

ar

2011

Apr-

Jun 2

011

Jul-S

ept 2011

Oct

-Dec 2

011

Jan-M

ar

2012

April-M

ay2

8 2

012

Rhino poaching in SA

2010 2011

2012

Despite poaching numbers still increasing

20700

Starting population beginning 2011

2011

Average annual growth

20700

1428

2011

growth 6.9%

Minus poaching

448 980

2011

Poaching

Balance ofgrowth

20700

Minus additional pseudo-hunting

448 90 890

2011

Poaching

Pseudohunting

Balance ofgrowth

20700

Rhino conservation objectives

• Reduction of number of rhinos being poached;

• Reduction of the black market prices of rhino horn;

• Reduction in the illegal demand for horn;

• Incentivize the private sector and communities to invest in rhino conservation through continued range expansion and numbers;

• Ensure rapid population growth rates through biological management & reduction in loss of genetic diversity;

• Enhanced law enforcement, especially stopping poachers BEFORE they kill rhinos.

• BUT NEEDS SUSTAINABLE FUNDING

Address objectives • NO SINGLE SILVER BULLET!!!!!! = COMPLEX ISSUE • NATIONAL level:

• Increase in situ protection – focused training & staffing. • Remove pseudo-hunting. • Central integrated & secure database (rhinos , horns etc.) & permitting process (hunts etc). • Intelligence use & cooperation = STOP poachers. • Improved investigative & prosecution skills. • Increasing deterrent with higher sentences. • Use technology (DNA profiling) • Improved detection at ports of entry/exit. • Improved management of horn stocks (declaration & database) • Cooperation by private rhino owners • Address national TOPS legislation pitfalls. • Greater inter Dept cooperation.

Address objectives (cont.) • INTERNATIONAL level:

• Intelligence sharing & cooperation. • Higher comparative sentences. • Institute stricter domestic measures for export of trophies & internal control in importing countries. • Address legislative short falls. Eg Kenya, Mozambique

• CROSS-CUTTING issues: • Incentivise private & community sectors (range & numbers) • Increase value of rhinos:

• Better regulated hunting industry. • Explore possible trade in rhino horn &/or rhinos (detailed cost-benefit analysis of different scenarios with other alternatives)