In 1987, 4 dead rhino were found and the horns retrieved. One of these died on the Chobe River front as an adult male (cause unknown). One was killed as an immature at Chinga by lions. Two died in the Linyanti area from poachers guns. In one of these cases the poachers were apprehended. It is known that poachers come in regularly from the Caprivi side of the Linyanti and Kwando.
Between 1974 and 1976, 4 white rhino introduced in Maun WEP.
Melton in 1982 estimated that the population size in Chobe NP and surrounding areas was around 100. The Kalahari Conservation Society in their April 1985 report based on aerial surveys of Northern Botswana put white rhino between 100 and 150. Recent 1987 survey by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks yield a figure around 120. These estimates are all based on aerial surveys with fixed wing aircraft and could be misleading. To have a more realistic idea of the actual number of white rhino it would be necessary to carry out surveys from helicopters. It has been conclusively demonstrated in the past that surveys of rhinos from fixed wing aircraft are usually very inaccurate. Estimates from fixed wing aircraft often count less than 60% of the rhinos that would be seen from helicopeters, and helicopeters ar their maximum are known to count only 90% of the rhinos actuallty present. The aircraft also were of uniform coverage in multi-species surveys. The white rhino are known to be concentrated in certain preferred habitats and a stratified sampling focused on those areas of high concentration would give a netter picture of the number of rhinos present. This would also reduce the rather large confidence limits that have plagued all past rhino estimates in Northern Botswana.
In the past two years, only three confirmed black rhino sightings are known. One was an adult male near Linyanti camp, another was a female with calf also around Linyanti. The third sighting was a male at Kwikampa. Sppor of black rhino are seen along the Savutu channel and towards James Camp on the Kwando. Spoor of two other black rhino were seen on the road between the Ngwezumba River drift and Ngwezumba dam.
White rhino preferred habitat is found around Ngwezumba in the Nogatshaa- Tambico- Chinga- Poha- Namuchira- Ngwezumba Dam- Kwaipaka Complex, and along the length of the Ngwezumba valley. The area has many pans and sips and is characterized by libalas, with Mopane and Combretum woodland and many open grassy plains. A population nucleus has been established around the Ngwezumba Dam sips which radiates into the above complex. Other rhino areas run along the Ngwezumba rivr valley where there are big pools, through Kowawe pan southward to Zweizwei and Gamtsha pans and into the Savuti area. The highest concentration of rhinos is found in the Ngwezumba dam complex. This is undoubtedly boosted by minimum disturbance in the area as roads become impassibale in the rainy season. There is always water available at the Ngwezumba dam sips and artificially at Nogatshaa and Chinga. Another area with some rhino is on the Chobe Flats to the east of the Linyanti and to the South of the Kwando. Rhinos in this part are not very safe due to hunting activities in the area and harassment from Caprivian poachers. There are also resident rhino populations just back from the Chobe River front and at Kazuma pan.
Program of re-introudction from Hluhluwe-Umfolozi. In 1967, 4 white rhino were introudced into Chobe NP and paddocked near Serondella and later released. In 1970, 5 more white rhino were released. Between 1974-1976, 37 white rhino were introduced. A further 92 were released in Chobe and Moremi NP, the last seven into Chobe in Aug 1982.
Hunting pressure from man after 1820 reduced the numbers to such low levels that the white rhino had become extinct in Botswana by 1900.
As Botswana does not trade por deal in any rhino product, all horns retrieved [found] are stored in safe keeping. Presently 22 pairs of horns are in store.
Chobe District
Program of reintroduction. In 1974-1976, 14 white rhino released in Moremi NP. Later another 92 were released in Chobe and Moremi.
Botswana, Chobe NP. In Chobe NP, the white rhino are very selective in the habitat types they occupy. Generally, they prefer areas with pans, specifically showing a tendency to stay around pans that are fairly big and which retain water for most of, or throughout the year. Additionally, these pans must have open grassyplains around them with some trees and shrubs to provide shade.
Melton in 1982 estimated that the population size in Chobe NP and surrounding areas was around 100. The Kalahari Conservation Society in their April 1985 report based on aerial surveys of Northern Botswana put white rhino between 100 and 150. Recent 1987 survey by the Department of Wildlife and National Parks yield a figure around 120. These estimates are all based on aerial surveys with fixed wing aircraft and could be misleading. To have a more realistic idea of the actual number of white rhino it would be necessary to carry out surveys from helicopters. It has been conclusively demonstrated in the past that surveys of rhinos from fixed wing aircraft are usually very inaccurate. Estimates from fixed wing aircraft often count less than 60% of the rhinos that would be seen from helicopeters, and helicopeters ar their maximum are known to count only 90% of the rhinos actuallty present. The aircraft also were of uniform coverage in multi-species surveys. The white rhino are known to be concentrated in certain preferred habitats and a stratified sampling focused on those areas of high concentration would give a netter picture of the number of rhinos present. This would also reduce the rather large confidence limits that have plagued all past rhino estimates in Northern Botswana.
In 1987, 4 dead rhino were found and the horns retrieved. One was killed as an immature at Chinga by lions.
