Conservation strategy has two pillars: (a) Protection of viable populations in the wild; (b) Captive propagation to reinforce wild populations. In North America, the AAZPA has accorded captive propagation of rhino species its highest priority. Four of the 53 species in the formally organized programs, known as Species Survival Plans (SSPs), are rhinos. The fifth species, the Javan, is expected to be added soon. In Europe, the EEP has organized a program for the black rhino. In Japan, bicornis, simum and unicornis have been designated for their SSP programs. In Australia/New Zealand, the SMP (Species Management Program) is developing programs for both the black and the white, with interest high for one of the Asian species. All of these captive programs are organized to intensively manage the captive populations genetically and demographically to maximize preservation of the gene pool. Moreover, there is increasing cooperation and coordination among these regional programs to form international captive programs and plans for these species. Indeed an attempt is in progress to organize an International Black Rhino Trust that would provide a better mechanism for coordinating the captive programs on a worldwide basis. There would be great value in trying to establish some large rhino propagation centers in the United States in areas similar to the natural habitats of these species. There already has been some interest and activity in this possibility for black rhino on the part of some ranchers. However, to really contribute to global strategies, it would be important that such developments (1) be part of the captive propagation programs already in progress; and (2) be administered in such a way as to insure perpetuation of the facility beyond the lifetimes and changing interests of private owners. The purpose of captive propagation is to reinforce, not to replace, wild populations of rhino, i.e. populations of rhinos surviving in natural habitats within their historic range. Table 1 CAPTIVE VIABLE POPULATION OBJECTIVES Species North America World Black 150 300 White 100-150 200-300 unicornis 75 150 Sumatran 75 150 Javan 75 150 TOTAL 475-525 950-1050 End
Species Programs of AAZPA. The rhino has been adopted as the officoal logo of SSP
Conservation strategy has two major components: (a) Intensive management and protection of viable populations in the wild. That is, concentrate field efforts, and available resources, on those wild populations that are large and/or protectable enough to be viable for the long term. This goal would translate into trying to secure enough subpopulations, normally of at least 100 rhinos each, to produce a metapopulation at least equivalent to the viable population size recommended for the species. Collectively, for all five species of rhino, there are perhaps 30 populations and, hence, significant sanctuaries in 8 countries that could provide sufficient numbers and distribution of animals to insure viability, and that therefore should receive strategic priority for conservation action and resources. A relatively few millions of dollars per year could sustain these populations and sanctuaries. (b) Captive propagation to reinforce wild populations. [see Captive Management]
Species Survival Plans, Species Programs of AAZPA The rhino has been adopted as the official logo of SSP
