 Reference Base  The rhino conservation strategy in the Zambezi Valley cod... |
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Tatham, G.H., 1988. The rhino conservation strategy in the Zambezi Valley code named Operation Stronghold. Zimbabwe Science News 22 (1/2): 21-23, fig. 1
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| Location: |
Africa - Southern Africa - Zimbabwe |
| Subject: |
Distribution - Records |
| Species: |
African Rhino Species |
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Operation Stronghold
The strategy to conserve and protect the black rhino population has four dimensions and each one relates or depends either directly or indirectly to the other three. They are referred to in order of priority.
1. Local Reaction
Within the Zambezi Valley, the area concerned is State Land, classified as Parks and Wild Life Estate, the authority for its administration being the Department of National Parks and Wild life Management. This particular dimension is broken down into three component parts: [Table]
(i) Anti-poaching
A prerequisite for the commencement of the anti. poaching operation is to structure strategy, tactics and other efforts along military lines. Combating poachers armed with automatic rifles is akin to an anti-guerilla type warfare. In the first instance the area has to be secured by intensifying ground coverage and establishing strategic forward basecamps. The anti-poaching operation relies directly on a manpower resource, suitably trained and equipped. This included meeting an individual's personal needs, i.e. appropriate clothing, specialised patrol equipment, modern weaponry and good accommodation. GLaranteed salaries and field allowances must be ensured. National Parks personnel face the possibility of death whilst protecting the black rhino and therefore only dedicated, well-disciplined men should be deployed within the operational area. This is the key to the success of Operation Stronghold. Other Government agencies must also be called upon to give active and meaningful support.
(ii) Translocation
(a) To minimise the loss of animals to poachers, the second important component is the translocation of rhino out of the Zambezi Valley to other relatively safe areas within the Parks and Wildlife Estate where these animals have previously existed, e.g. Hwange and Matobo National Parks.
(b) Translocation of rhino to private game ranches where suitable habitat and security exists. Appropriate and reliable monitoring must be guaranteed thereby allowing the establishment of captive breeding herds. Once densities reach saturation, progeny will be returned to the rhinos' areas of evacuation when considered safe and secure.
?) Translocation to other National Parks, suitable zoos and ranches outside of Africa, where the objective is to guarantee the security of the species and provide captive breeding units.
(iii) Research
Research into the components of the rhino conservation strategy includes a number of ecological and biological aspects. Baseline information on the Zambezi Valley rhino population requires appropriate census and monitoring techniques and a basic understanding of the population's dynamics and behaviour of the species in this environment.
The translocation of black rhino also requires careful documentation and monitoring. In particular, adjustments to new habitats, the establishment of home ranges and the maintenance of breeding be-,ween limited numbers of animals needs investigation.
2. National Reaction
First considerations have to be based on the commitment and support of Government for the protection of the black rhino. Government alone ho!ds the responsibility of ensuring the Department of National Parks and Wildlife Management maintains its ability to function. Support from non-government organisations should only be used to augment funds already allocated for capital and recurrent expenditure.
Legislation which is the second part of this dimension has had to be brought up to date with the current situation. A major milestone was passed when the mandatory sentence for killing a rhino and the possession of rhino horn was increased from 2 years to 5 years. Members of the Judiciary, Police and other officials responsible for the legal processing of cases pertaining to rhino poaching, require to be fully briefed on the seriousness of the situation.
Contravention of the specific section of the Act protecting the Stack Rhino should not receive leniency and mitigating evidence not given credence. Evidence in aggravation should be lead at every opportunity with the relevant statistics depicting the diminishing population of black rhino in Africa
The last part of this dimension refers to the public reaction within Zimbabwe. Funding by conservation-orientated non-governrnent organisations to support the field effort is invaluable and the public of Zimbabwe and the media have to be made aware of this crisis, with national outrage being the objective.
3.International Reaction
International politics is a key aspect of this dimension. Incursions of armed bandits entering into a Sovereign State from a neighbouring country is an act that must incite considerable debate at Head of State level as this poses a direct threat to national security. This debate should have as its objective international cooperation between the two countries concerned, to prevent these incursions and to deal with the matter as a regional problem. Nations in the region should be obliged to comply with international conventions that specifically protect the rhino and its habitat, e.g. C.I.T.E.S.
Outside the continent of Africa this issue requires to be brought to the attention of states directly involved in the trade of rhino horn, with pohtcal pressure being brought to bear upon such states to prohibit the trade. As this is an international environmental problem, it should be brought urgently to the attention of the international community.
As with the national media, continuous communication must be maintained with the international media as a matter of extreme urgency. They should be encouraged to visit the operational area on a regular basis and be exposed to the problem at first hand. Environmental issues receive constant coverage and therefore the rhino crisis should be exposed and publicised at every available opportunity.
4.Intelligence
A systematic method of gathering intelligence on all aspects of rhino horn trade commencing at its source, i.e. poachers and their direct overseers and then finally where the horn is sold and processed, must be formulated. Approximately 60 000 rhino have been killed on the continent of Africa over the past 15 years. This represents a well structured and highly professional crime syndicate involving politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen who are obviously corrupt and care little for human lives or the economy of their respective countries, but are motivated by greed and personal ambition.
A well documented dossier on these organisations should be opened, thereby establishing a base on which the other three dimensions can effectively operate. A prerequisite to this is direct and continuous cooperation from international law enforcing and intelligence gathering agencies. A formal request should be put to foreign erylbassies of countries that actively support the rhino survival campaign to assist in this intelligence gathering effort.
Conclusion
Black rhino on the continent of Africa now face almost certain extinction and Zimbabwe is clearly in a position to prevent this tragedy occurring. Therefore each of the four dimensions of the overall strategy for conserving the black rhino must be fought with equal vigour and determination if we are to succeed, The predicament now facing the black rhino symbolises the true situation for conservation of African wild life. This state of affairs is an indictment upon conservation agencies and governments, clearly showing that they have failed to effectively implement their respective conservation policies and enforce the laws that protect wild life. The hope is that Zimbabwe's attempt to save the last remaining viable, natural population of black rhino from extinction will be the watershed for the reversal of this intolerable situation. Environmentalists of the world need to take cognisance of this desperate stand Zimbabwe is taking by actively associating themselves with the overall strategy.
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