Diceros bicornis bicornis Present status Est. Max. Pop. Etosha 350 est.'d 1000 W. Caprivi 3 * 50 Non conservation area - difficult to estimate Kaokoland 5 Damaraland 50 Total ca. 400 Proposed introductions from Etosha to the Mahango, Khaudum and Bushmanland Game Reserves. Maximum population for these areas is 500. Other populations pose a considerable problem.
Cape Province - Ceratotherium simum. An unknown number on private ranches (50?).
The estimate for the black rhino population in Africa by 1983 this had plummetted to 13.500 (of which 1000 live in the Republic of South Africa and South West Africa).
The estimate for the black rhino population in Africa in 1970 was 65 000
The classification of Groves (1967), as to subspecies, will be followed. That is: Diceros bicornis minor - Zululand, and reintroduced elsewhere Diceros bicornis bicornis - S.W.A. Diceros bicornis michaeli - Addo Elephant NP (introduced from Kenya)
Natal: The more intensively we control, the fewer problems we have. There has been only one serious poaching problem, in 1981, when two black and two white rhinos were poached.There is much anti-poaching activity in Natal generally, and very little trade in rhino products. One patrol a day in 45 sq km, or among 80 - 90 rhinos in Hluhluwe-Umfoloze. Obviously there is much natural mortality, and one must know what's being lost in a reserve. The horns are colect ed and transferred to head office in Pietermaritzburg. Black rhinos are specially protected game and can be shot only by a department officer. The present penalties are considered inadequate. Kruger National Park: Good security, and no rhino has been poached. The only porblem is - how does the Kruger NP get more rhinos? Pilanesberg: No problems. All the necessary CITES permits come from the Transvaal Nature Conservation Division, as Bophuthatswana is not empowered to give these documents. One instance of theft of horns,otherwise effective control of the rhino populations. Transvaal Province: House is in order, and we kyiow of no poaching. We need cooperation with the various independent homelands within the province, as we don't know who governs import and export into them. It is certainly risky for the Transvaal Nature Conservation Division to stamp a homeland document - CITES states that consignments `in transit' and under customs control cannot be touched. If a South West African rhino is poached (where the fine is up to R6000) but the horn is detected in Transvaal (where the fine is R1000), the case may go to court in either country. This seems unfair to South West Africa, and besides R1000 is surely an insufficient fine for a poached rhino. Unfortunately, trading in products gets heavier penalties in South West Africa than does poaching in the first place, but surely most trade in rhino products ends up in the Transvaal? These anomalies need to be cured. At present there is a good liaison between the Transvaal Nature Conservation Division and the Natal Parks Board, over the distribution of rhinos. Indeed, the Transvaal Nature Conservation Division hopes to introduce black rhinos into the northern and western Transvaal.
The classification of Groves (1967), as to subspecies, will be followed. That is: Diceros bicornis minor - Zululand, and reintroduced elsewhere Diceros bicornis bicornis - S.W.A. Diceros bicornis michaeli - Addo Elephant NP (introduced from Kenya)
A seven year old black rhino female, that was reared in captivity, was released into Ndumu Game Reserve, where it survived and actually produced calves]
Orange Free State - Ceratotherium simum. There are about 25 in the Willem Pretorius reserve, and six in the Tussen die Rivieren. Two private ranches have a couple each. There are no plans for further introductions.
The Natal population has 19 animals p.a. for translocation, at a 4,5% rate of increase. The Kruger National Park population has a 9% rate of increase.
Earlier, the Johannesburg zoo had a black rhino in captivity for 34 years.
Ceratotherium simum. The nature reserve near Rolfontein has three animals
Ceratotherium simum. There are about 25 in the Willem Pretorius reserve, and six in the Tussen die Rivieren. Two private ranches have a couple each. There are no plans for further introductions.
Diceros bicornis minor Present status Reg'd Max. population Hluhluwe Game Reserve 175 - 175 Umfolozi Game Reserve 125 - 125 Mkuze Game Reserve 120 - 120 Ndumu Game Reserve 30 - 30 Itala Game Reserve 25 35 60 Weenen 4 6 10 Kruger National Park 110 unlimited 3500 Pilanesberg Game Reserve 21 14 120 (Eastern Shores Nature reserve - 90) 90 (Andries Vosloo N.R., Cape (De Hoop N. R., Cape (Atherstone N. R., Transvaal (Langjain N. R.. Transvaal) Total ca.610 > 4000 ? The Natal population has 19 animals p.a. for translocation, at a 4,5% rate of increase. The Kruger National Park population has a 9% rate of increase. 3. Diceros bicornis michaeli Addo National Park 14 End
Ceratotherium simum simum Hluhluwe-Umfolozi 1450 Ndumu 50 Mkuze 40 Itala 40 Weenen 4 Natal private ranches ca. 80 Kruger National Park 749 Pilanesberg 217 Transvaal reserves: Loskop 55 Bloemhof 4 Tvl private land ca. 400 S.W.A.: Waterberg P. Park 18 Private land 51 O.F.S: Nature reserves 31 Private land 4 Cape: Nature reserves 4 Private land ca. 50 (?) Total ca. 3250 Potential expansion in Natal is only 150 animals. Rate of increase at 9,5% will allow about 130 removals p.a. End
Arab countries (except North Yemen) do not use rhino horn either.
Ceratotherium simum. There are about 25 in the Willem Pretorius reserve, and six in the Tussen die Rivieren.
there is an old rhino in the Thomas Baines N.R.
Ceratotherium simum simum S.W.A.: Waterberg P. Park, 18 Private land, 51
Earlier, the Johannesburg zoo had a black rhino in captivity for 34 years.
The population had 21% juveniles. This indicates a high recruitment rate of 26%, probably due to the introduced population comprising initially a high proportion of sexually mature animals.
1974, S.Africa, The selling price for rhino horn in 1974 was R 28 per kilo
1983, S Africa, In southern Africa only one trader has dealt in the skins, which are worth up to $ 3000 each.
About the only major Asian country not using horn is Sri Lanka. Arab countries (except North Yemen) do not use rhino horn either.
In the years 1972 - 78 eight tonnes p.a. of rhino horn entered the world market. 40% of which went to North Yemen. Most of the horn was African. The rhino horn in North Yemen is used to make dagger handles and produces 60% wastage in the process. The wastage, as shavings, is exported to Eastern Asia for $ 300 per kilo. The Southeast Asian trade amounted to 60%, in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore etc. In 1979 - 80, 4 ? tonnes p.a. Since 1981 - 82, a further decline to 2 tonnes p.a. The price for horn peaked in 1978/9, and thereafter remained stable. With less horn on the market the demand had therefore declined. Why? (i) Hong Kong stopped imports from February 1979, and Japan stopped imports from November 1980. (ii) Substitutes are now used. Rhino products have been used for more than 2000 years, and even then the saiga antelope horn was mentioned in medicine books, and also as a substitute for rhino horn- mainly to reduce fevers. Today, there are more than one million saiga antelopes.
The price of rhino horn has little if any effect on the demand. A total ban on trading in rhino products for a number of years is necessary, so that substitutes can be developed and accepted. Currently, there are hardly any rhinos left in Angola, and it is unlikely that horns are being trans-shipped through that country. Earlier however, rhino horn was imported legally from Angola, but surely it couldn't all have originated there? Natal holds about 200 horns, Harare about 90. However, horns are leaking out from Tanzania and Zambia. Twenty countries in Africa have black rhinos, and five have not yet signed CITES. The South African Police have an important role to play in protecting game against illegal exploitation, particularly by stopping organised smuggling across borders. The game ordinances of the four provinces are more or less the same, but refer to 'specially protected game' and 'protected game' rather than black rhino and white rhino respectively. One of the biggest loop-holes is here, that the trade in rhino products is controlled by provinces and not nationally, and we therefore need closer cooperation among the authorities. At the same time, rhino horn is accumulating, due to natural mortalities from the increasing numbers of rhino. Whilst the rhino products are too valuable to destroy, they may not be sold internationally due to the CITES agreement. Unfortunately CITES has three major shortcomings:- (i) it is a 'gentlemen's' agreement. and cannot be enforced. (ii) the countries that really matter are either not members or are not enforcing the agreement. (iii) no embargo or sanction has ever worked anyway. Under very strict government supervision, rhino horn could be put onto the world market and much finance could be generated for nature conservation. At the same time, the illegal traders could be priced out, though both anti-poaching activities and court penalties should also be greatly increased. There is no real difference between controlling rhino products and controlling trade in gold and diamonds, though it must be admitted that no horn has been confiscated in the Republic of South Africa. It would be possible to have a retired detective looking into the illegal trade, as is the case in Zimbabwe. At the moment much horn enters the Republic of South Africa illegally from South West Africa. Already, Natal numbers its horns by a steel punch, and horn-marking would be an essential prerequisite of trade. In the Transvaal there is much horn in private hands. A theft from the Pilanesberg Game Reserve ended up with a Pretoria trader. Traders should be checked out monthly, but they don't need a permit to possess rhino horn. However, the ordinances do mention 'unlawful' possession, and the sale of protected game is prohibited without a Permit - are these laws enforced? Trade in rhino products is a very small portion of the overall wildlife trade in Africa which is dominated by ivory. There is a massive wildlife trade in Zimbabwe, though little of the rhino horn comes south. Wildlife products go to countries with hard currency. Anomalies exist - for example, how can the Natal Parks Board be selling rhino horn three years after the Republic of South Africa signed CITES? Staff at the Johannesburg zoo have been offered considerable bribes for the rhino horn and shavings. Rhino populations in southern Africa are well managed, but in view of the problems north of the Limpopo, the Republic of South Africa should store its accumulating rhino horn and hold back on the trade. In this respect South Africa should certainly not contemplate resigning from CITES. Few South African officials have been bribed (as in the Natal case), and CITES is powerless against bribes anyway - CITES has no 'teeth'. Bad publicity has had the effect of curtailing trade in certain countries such as the Sudan, but is a poor way of practising conservation. Is it possible to set up a disciplinary committee within CITES, and lean on the importing countries to stop imports? South West Africa and the homelands within the Republic of South Africa are not CITES members. However, S.W.A. and Bophuthatswana comply with CITES regulations. But in order for us to know what's happening internationally with regard to the trade in rhino products, someone must monitor it. Currently, nobody is monitoring either the local or the international trade. Yet monitoring is very feasible: one man is needed to go from country to country interviewing the traders. IUCN no longer budgets for this, yet it is an essential aspect of rhino conservation. It would be a waste of funds to monitor trade locally, however, if it were not being monitored internationally. Besides, how can the Republic of South Africa make a good decision on its stockpile of rhino horns if it has no information (from IUCN) on the international trade? The Republic of South Africa should bear in mind that as pressure mounts on the Zimbabwe rhinos (and they may decline), then pressure will be put on to its own stocks. For a job such as protecting rhinoceroses we need effective and practical men in the field (and in their head offices! - most rhinos live on land owned by nature conservation authorities). There should be liaison among all the organisations involved in protecting them, including the police force, the customs officials and the national government.
North Yemenis also believe that rhino horn can suck out snake poison.
The classification of Groves (1967), as to subspecies, will be followed. That is: Diceros bicornis minor - Zululand, and reintroduced elsewhere Diceros bicornis bicornis - S.W.A. Diceros bicornis michaeli - Addo Elephant NP (introduced from Kenya)
1983, India, In India, Indian rhino horn sells for $ 9 000 per kilo, and all the animal is used. Yet rhino conservation has been successful until quite recently
Rhino skins are used in the Far East to cure human skin diseases. In southern Africa only one trader has dealt in the skins, which are worth up to $ 3000 each.
Rhino horn from southern Africa usually goes to Southeast Asia.
All of the horn for the North Yemen in the last year or so comes from Khartoum. From July 1983, the price in Khartoum has risen by 40%, and poaching has therefore increased again in East Africa. Some of the authorities in Khartoum and Sanaa are corrupt - dealers simply bribe the Sanaa customs. As the North Yemeni government has a huge problem with the smuggling of liquor, cars, petrol etc., rhino horn falls far down the list of priorities! The problem cannot be tackled in North Yemen, it must be tackled in the Sudan. Unfortunately, some Juba officials are corrupt, and the CITES and IUCN officials in Switzerland know this very well. Most of the horn that moves along the Khartoum - Sanaa-route comes from Africa north of the Zambezi river.
In the years 1972 - 78 eight tonnes p.a. of rhino horn entered the world market. 40% of which went to North Yemen. Most of the horn was African. The rhino horn in North Yemen is used to make dagger handles and produces 60% wastage in the process. The wastage, as shavings, is exported to Eastern Asia for $ 300 per kilo. The Southeast Asian trade amounted to 60%, in Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Singapore etc. About the only major Asian country not using horn is Sri Lanka. Arab countries (except North Yemen) do not use rhino horn either. In August 1982, North Yemen prohibited the import of rhino horn, but the law has had no effect - now, 50% of the world trade goes there. However, substitutes are being used for dagger handles, such that less than 10% handles are rhino horn. North Yemenis also believe that rhino horn can suck out snake poison. All of the horn for the North Yemen in the last year or so comes from Khartoum. From July 1983, the price in Khartoum has risen by 40%, and poaching has therefore increased again in East Africa. Some of the authorities in Khartoum and Sanaa are corrupt - dealers simply bribe the Sanaa customs. As the North Yemeni government has a huge problem with the smuggling of liquor, cars, petrol etc., rhino horn falls far down the list of priorities!
Around 1970 zoos concentrated on white rhinos. Whipsnade and San Diego were sent 44 animals between them. Currently, both American and European zoos are close to saturation point. The white rhino breeds well in captivity, and there are 637 individuals in 207 captive populations. [From 1961 to 1972 a total of 138 white rhinos were sent to zoos in the U.S.A. and 51 to the U.K. During the same period 298 white rhinos were sent to zoos all over the world which is roughly 9% of the 3150 rhinos removed from Zululand (Information from Ian Player) - Ebedes].
Zoos showed very little concern for black rhinos up to the late 1960's, but this changed in the 1970's. Up to 1980 there was a decline in the zoo population, but since then there has been an increase due to births in captivity. Today, there are 71 captive populations of black rhinos around the world, of the following compositions:- 19 captive populations are single animals. 22 are one male to one female, 25 are one male to two or more females: 5 are one female to two or more males. These groups comprise 183 animals. The 1:1 composition has a poor breeding success rate, whilst 13 of 16 births in 1981/82 have been in the one male to multi-female grouping. At the moment, South African zoos cannot contribute to a conservation effort for the black rhino, as the two major zoos each have males, a minor in Johannesburg and two michaeli mino r hybrids at the National Zool.ogical Garden.. Surely there is scope for a serious breeding programme?
