178 poachers were killed in the Zimbabwe rhino war, whilst four game guards were killed and seven wounded.
425
489
819
127
50
249
91
5297
2475
absent
5
6
15
35
40
50
27
414
425
489
819
ltala, 56 white rhino, 15 black rhino
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, 1600 white rhino, 320 black rhino
Tembe Elephant Park, 32 white rhino.
In Zimbabwe in 1980 there were 2500 black rhino and 500 white rhino. In 1991 these numbers declined to 1400 black rhino and an unknown number of white rhino. In 1993 these further declined to 425 black rhino and 100 white rhino.
127
50
74
46
5820
5
31
White rhino distribution in Natal in 1920 was restricted to a remnant population of ce 30 animals in the Hiuhluwe-Umfolozi Park, whilst black rhino in Natal were restricted to the Pongola area, Mkuzi area and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and its southern buffer zone. Numbers of how many there were are not accurate. 1994 White Rhino Black Rhino Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park 1600 320 Mkuzi 92 77 Eastern Shores - 20 Weenen 42 13 ltala 56 15 Spioenkop 23 - Chelmsford 4 - Ndumu 50 35 Tembe Elephant Park 32 - End
Chelmsford, 4 White rhino, 0 black rhino
Spioenkop, 23 white rhino
Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park, 1600 white rhino, 320 black rhino
249
5820
31
27
46
414
74
91
5297
2475
5
5
6
15
35
40
50
The poaching situation has increased fairly dramatically in the past five years. In Mkuzi Game Reserve arrests for poaching incidents have risen from ca 20 cases in 1988 to 200 cases in 1993, whilst in the same reserve snares recovered increased from ca 100 in 1988 to ca 2600 in 1993. Whilst the snares are set for antelope, rhinos are caught. The numbers of rhinos poached in Natal Parks Board reserves over the past five years are as follows :- 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 Umfolozi 6 W, 1B 3W 2W 2W 0 Hluhluwe 0 0 1W 1W 2W Mkuzi 0 0 1W 0 0 Itala 0 0 0 0 0 Weenen 0 0 0 0 0 Mfabeni 0 0 0 0 0 Spioenkop 0 0 0 0 1W TOTAL 7 3 4 3 3 The actual poaching areas in the parks are concentrated near populated areas adjacent to the park especially so in Umfolozi.
Eastern Shores, 0 white rhino, 20 black rhino
The black rhino trend in Africa has been a catastrophic 96% decline in numbers from 65 000 animals in 1970 to 2 500 in 1993.
The black rhino trend in Africa has been a catastrophic 96% decline in numbers from 65 000 animals in 1970 to 2 500 in 1993.
In Zimbabwe in 1980 there were 2500 black rhino and 500 white rhino. In 1991 these numbers declined to 1400 black rhino and an unknown number of white rhino. In 1993 these further declined to 425 black rhino and 100 white rhino.
In Botswana, between 1974 and 1981, 71 white rhino were reintroduced to Chobe and 19 to Moremi Game Reserves from the Natal Parks Board reserves. - By 1992 these populations should have grown to ca 216 animals. - The Rhino & Elephant Foundation et al census conducted during September 1992 found only 19 animals. - The Natal Parks Board-assisted capture operation in Botswana during February 1993 found only four rhino left, one of which was wounded.
In Botswana, between 1974 and 1981, 71 white rhino were reintroduced to Chobe and 19 to Moremi Game Reserves from the Natal Parks Board reserves. - By 1992 these populations should have grown to ca 216 animals. - The Rhino & Elephant Foundation et al census conducted during September 1992 found only 19 animals. - The Natal Parks Board-assisted capture operation in Botswana during February 1993 found only four rhino left, one of which was wounded.
In Hwange (Wankie) - In 1980 there were 70 white rhino. In 1991 these had declined to two white rhino.
White rhino distribution in Natal in 1920 was restricted to a remnant population of ce 30 animals in the Hiuhluwe-Umfolozi Park, whilst black rhino in Natal were restricted to the Pongola area, Mkuzi area and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and its southern buffer zone. Numbers of how many there were are not accurate.
White rhino distribution in Natal in 1920 was restricted to a remnant population of ce 30 animals in the Hiuhluwe-Umfolozi Park, whilst black rhino in Natal were restricted to the Pongola area, Mkuzi area and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and its southern buffer zone. Numbers of how many there were are not accurate.
White rhino distribution in Natal in 1920 was restricted to a remnant population of ce 30 animals in the Hiuhluwe-Umfolozi Park, whilst black rhino in Natal were restricted to the Pongola area, Mkuzi area and Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park and its southern buffer zone. Numbers of how many there were are not accurate.
White rhino distribution in Natal in 1920 was restricted to a remnant population of ce 30 animals in the HLuhluwe-Umfolozi Park. 1994 White Rhino Black Rhino Hluhluwe-Umfolozi Park 1600 320 Mkuzi 92 77 Eastern Shores - 20 Weenen 42 13 ltala 56 15 Spioenkop 23 - Chelmsford 4 - Ndumu 50 35 Tembe Elephant Park 32 - End
At the African Rhino Specialist Group meeting during 1992 the 'key' black rhino populations were classed as follows: Al Cameroon, Damaraland, Etosha, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Kruger A2 ltala, Midlands (P), Mkuzi, Nairobi, Selous, Solio (P) A3 Hwange The 'key' white rhino populations in 1992 were as follows: Al Garamba, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi, Kruger, ltala, Mkuzi, Pilanesberg, Sabi Sand (P) A2 Loskop, Manyeleti, Ndumu, Solio (P), Timbavati (P) A3 Hwange.
The Natal Parks Board has been capturing white rhino since 1962 and distributing them throughout the world for captive breeding programmes in zoos and, in Africa, to their former natural range in both parks and onto private land. To date some 3 465 white rhino have been distributed world-wide.
Basic security requirements for parks have been identified as follows 1. Adequately fenced park. 2. Adequate numbers of staff. 3. Suitably trained staff. 4. Adequately armed and equipped staff. 5. Suitably motivated staff. 6. Functional informer system. 7. Effective reactionary force. 8. Effective investigative system. Small areas / parks have to rely heavily on information and intelligence to detect poachers before they commit the deed and escape. The current Natal Parks Board anti-poaching methods are as follows * Adequate fencing * Picket guard camps * Mobile Anti-Poaching Unit * Reduction of rhino densities in problem areas * Paging radios * Directed patrols * Section Ranger patrol participation * Observation posts using 60 power spotting scopes * Night sight equipment * Informer system * Undercover investigative staff * Neighbour relations programme The Game Guard basic training course curriculum includes the following 1 .Law enforcement Arrest procedures Nature Conservation Laws Immediate action drills for ambushes 2. Radio procedure 3. First Aid / Buddy Aid 4. Weapon handling 5. Drill and discipline 6. Patrol techniques 7. Basic Nature Conservation 8. Technical training - fencing 1 vehicle 1 pump maintenance 9. Neighbour 1 Community relations It is vital that sufficient, full-time, dedicated law enforcement staff are deployed in the parks. The following staff strengths are recommended : Minimum of one man per 1500 ha Minimum of three men to ensure two are active at any one time, e.g. 3 Guards for 3 000 ha 4 Guards for 3 100 - 4 500 ha 5 Guards for 4 600 - 6 000 ha 6 Guards for 6 000 - 7 500 ha Staff operating only within the park boundaries are not enough, and an informer system operating outside the park is vital as 'to be forewarned is to be forearmed'. The operation of an informer network is a specialised task requiring very careful handling. Some of the more salient points are as follows : 1. Establishing Informer Network Recruitment of informers is extremely difficult The best and most reliable informers are the voluntary informers 2. Motivation of Informers - Only one way - financial compensation - Pay quickly after they provide the information -Pay for information irrespective of whether arrest is made - Judge each case on its merits 3. Handling the Informer NEVER disclose your informer's identity - NEVER One person should only handle two or three informers 4. Use of Informers To gather information from gossip To infiltrate poaching gangs To carry a transmitter once in a gang INVESTIGATIVE PROCEDURES Modern police-type investigative methods and technical assistance are necessary to keep abreast of the potential threat. Close liaison with other agencies engaged in intelligence gathering is necessary.
