Black rhinos sold to private owner in Southern Africa

History was made on June 18, 1990 when the Natal Parks Board auctioned a founder population of five black rhino to a privately owned nature reserve. Lapalala Wilderness successfully bid 2.2 million rand for the two bulls and three cows. Because the black rhino is so highly endangered, South Africa, like Kenya and Zimbabwe, is turning to controlled breeding in small, discrete reserves to ensure the species'survival. Assessments by the Natal Parks Board and Peter Hitchens, a black rhino specialist, found the 24,400 hectare LapalalaWilderness to be one of eight private reserves in southern Africa considered suitable for black rhino introduction. It is located in the Waterberg Mountains in the northwestern part of the Transvaal province, a region from which black rhinos have been absent for over 100 years. The rhinos' 900 kilometer trip to Lapalala Wilderness was supervised by Dr. Martin Brooks of the Natal Parks Board. On August 8, 1990, the animals were immobilized by Parks Board veterinarian, Peter Rogers, at which time body measurements were taken and ears were notched for future field identification. Also at this time, the tip of each rhino's horn was cut off as a precaution against injury to one another. The horn tips will be used in a DNA fingerprinting study being undertaken by Dr. Anthony Hall-Martin of the National Parks Board of South Africa. Upon their arrival on August 9, they were released into specially constructed burmas within a 10,000 hectare gamefenced section of Lapalala Wilderness to undergo a settling in period before their release. As of October 12, 1990, the rhinos were still being held in the burmas and doing very well. The release process was to begin in late October, 1990, afterthe rainy season had commenced and the quality of the habitat had improved. Clive Walker of Lapalala Wilderness admits that there is some controversy about turning black rhinos over to private ' owners, but he believes most would agree that it is wise and that it will continue to occur. The significance of the event to the private sector can be ascertained from the price that was paid for the privilege of acquiring the five rhinos. As stated by Clive Walker, `This is a great responsibility for us at Lapalala Wilderness. This opportunity arises from the confidence the Natal Parks Board has placed on the private sector in allowing these animals to go onto private land. We are only too aware of what has happened to the black rhino across Africa; southern Africa is their last stronghold and we are happy to be part of their conservation. A great deal will be expected of us and we will have to measure up to those expectations.' The Lapalala transaction was of great economic benefit to the Natal Parks Board because sale proceeds were used to provide important funding for its various conservation manage- ment programs. Of even greater significance, however, was the fact that for the first time ever in South Africa, black rhinos were assigned an economic value. This could potentially prove helpful in the courtroom, as judges can now take into consideration a replacement cost in assessing penalties against rhino poachers. Increased fines and stiffer sentences are being called for in the South African judicial system where the current penalty for rhino poaching is only 1,500 rand, or one year in jail.