1998, less than 100 bicornis
1998, The Rhino & Tiger Fund enabled monitoring and surveillance training for field staff and a survey of the Selous rhino population that will be used to produce specific recommendations for establishing potential Intensive Protection Zones in the reserv
The Fund has produced immediate results in the form of clothing, equipment and up-to-date wireless networks to help portected area guards stop poaching in areas in Assam. Anne Wright, manager of the equipment project, reports that it provides hope and encouragment for guards working in difficult terrain, and intends to broaden this initial effort by obtaining critical transportation equipment and developing programs to increase awareness and encourage reporting of illegal activity.
Summary Report 1996-1998. Congress, recognizing the need to do more to save these magnificent and very endangered species, passed the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Act in 1994, and reauthorized it in 1998. Through the act, Congress created the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund. Since July 1996, 166 proposals have been received and 56 grants (totalling $ 970.000) awarded in 12 countries, generating $ 1,748,616 in matching funds.
As a first strike at preventing poachers from gaining a foothold in the Park, AsRSG establishes and operates 3 RPUs to patrol the park, destroy traps and snares, arrest intruders and conduct community outreach and intelligence operations to identify poachers in the local area. Breeding programs are a challenging yet important component of conservation. The program in Way Kambas will provide an alternative to troubled captive breeding programs by enabling rhinos to breed under managed yet natural conditions. The Irf and park managers have created large enclosures within rain forest habitat connected by a corridor that allows controlled breeding with encouraging results. The project will return captive rhinos to their natural habitat in the hope that they may have a higher chance of survival and reproduction.
