 Reference Base  An apparent decline in the Masai Mara black rhino population |
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| Location: |
Africa - Eastern Africa - Kenya |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Status |
| Species: |
Black Rhino |
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census 1997-1999. During the year April 1997 to March 1998, a total of 30 known rhinos was recorded within Masai Mara National Reserve, of which 29 where photographed. However, during the subsequent year (April 1998 - March 1999) only 21 known rhinos were recorded. In February 1999, a three day aerial census conducted jointly by FoC, the Eden Wildlife Trust (EWT), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and NCC identified only 17 different individuals, although an 18 th known individual was recorded during ground-based surveillance in the same month.
There are four possible explanations for the apparent decline:
(1) the population was previously overestimated;
(2) the current population is being underestimated as a result of increasing numbers of individuals becoming less readily observable;
(3) the popilation has declined through mortality;
(4) the population within MMNR has declined as a result of individuals moving out of the Reserve into surrounding areas, including northern Tanzania and the hills to the north and east of the reserve.. Photographic evidence suggests that there have been more rhinos within MMNR in the recent past than are now being observed. However, the fate of many of the animals that are no longer being seen is unknown.
Regular foot patrols would help to determine whether these animals are still present in thicker bush or in areas inaccessible to vehicle patrols. Similarly, expanding both ground-based and aerial surveys beyond the boundaries of MMNR may reveal whether rhinos have dispersed from the Reserve. A collaborative project between the Durrell Institute of Conservation and Ecology, NCC, Trans Mara County Council (TMCC), KWS, WWF, Moi University and the Kenya Department of Resource Surveys and Remote Sensing (DRSRS) is currently investigating factors affecting the recovery of the black rhino population in MMNR, and hopes to shed light on current carrying capacity and the role of habitat change and human disturbance in rhino distribution.
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