Natal Parks Board policy - Diceros bicornis. Black rhino capture and translocation commenced with the movement of animals living outside the game reserves. The black rhino has not been viewed as being a threat to its habitat consequently removal of animals was only for the purpose of establishing new breeding populations. The policy regarding the dispersal of black rhino is that these animals are not sold but donated at cost to other conservation organisations. The Natal Parks Board require any area to which black rhino are likely to be translocated, to have habitat suitable for at least 30 adult animals.
The failure of the Hluhluwe Game Reserve black rhino population to increase was initially viewed as being due to a limit in the amount of Acacia scrub in their habitat. In an effort to change this, range management practices in the reserve were altered. Subsequent interpretation of available data however suggests that the population is at carrying capacity, and is unlikely to increase. The population level is expected to fluctuate in accordance with prevailing rainfall cycles. These changes in the population will be a result of changes in natality and calf survival rather than adult mortality.
Natal Parks Board policy - Ceratotherium simum. Square-lipped rhino were initially captured and translocated with a view to distributing the population to enhance its survival. Subsequently removal became necessary in the interests of habitat management while the initial small-scale capture and removal caused no severe imbalance to the population. A higher level of unplanned removal led to an imbalance in the sex/age ratio of the population. While the sex ratio imbalance has largely been corrected, the restoration of the normal age distribution will take up to 30 years. Current Natal Parks Board policy for the square-lipped rhino is that after a reduction in the population, a constant removal rate will be determined. As the sub-species is secure no policy exists as to the dispersal of animals within southern Africa other than that conservation areas are accorded some preference.
Five black rhino were brought from Natal Parks Board to Texas in March 1984. Three were taken by Game Coin to a ranch outside Brownsville. Their oldest female died reportedly from a tick disease acquired in South Africa. All three rhinos were found with ticks carried from South Africa and the ranch is under quarantaine for a year.
Five black rhino were brought from Natal Parks Board to Texas in March 1984. Three were taken by Game Coin to a ranch outside Brownsville. Their oldest female died reportedly from a tick disease acquired in South Africa. All three rhinos were found with ticks carried from South Africa and the ranch is under quarantaine for a year. The remaining pair has been observed mating and the female is suspected to be pregnant.
Five black rhino were brought from Natal Parks Board to Texas in March 1984. Two rhinos received by the African Fund for Endangered Wildlife were brought to a ranch near Fort Worth. They proved to be immature which has set the breeding program back for a year. The rhinos were checked for ticks, none found.
