Sondela Rhino Conservation

Rhinos are in peril!

There are five species of rhinoceros found in the world namely, the White rhino (Ceratotherium simum), the Black rhino (Diceros bicornis), the Greater one-horned rhino or Indian rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis), the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) and the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus). Two of these species, namely the White and Black rhino are found in Southern Africa. The populations of all five species haveseriously declined over the last few years, mostly as a result of poaching activities. Currently the population sizes of the different species are as follows:

White rhino:                                                       20,405

Black rhino:                                                         5,055

Indian rhino:                                                      3,333

Sumatran rhino:                                               Less than 100

Javan rhino:                                                        58 - 61

The Southern white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) was once on the brink of extinction with only around 50 individuals left in the wild! It was rescued mainly by efforts of Dr. Ian Player and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (formally known as the Natal Parks Board) and now numbers over 20,400 individuals. Few people are aware that White rhinos were actually extinct in the Kruger National Park and were reintroduced from Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN). Sadly, however, there are currently only 3 remaining Northern white rhinos (Ceratotherium simum cottoni, a subspeciesformerly found in several countries in East and Central Africa south of the Sahara)in existence in the world!

Numerous conservation efforts have been initiated in order to protect and save these tanks of the animal kingdom. Conservation activities include anti-poaching and monitoring programmes, community conservation and environmental education programmes, demand reduction, capacity building, research, translocations, captive breeding and rehabilitation. Sondela Nature Reserve’s Wildlife Centre plays a very important role in this regard as it is not only a rehabilitation centre for orphaned baby rhinos, but also a quarantine facility and environmental education centre. To date Sondela Wildlife Centre has successfully rehabilitated 7 rhino calves (4 bulls and 3 cows).

In order to protect and conserve threatened,vulnerable, or endangered species, it might even be necessary to export them to countries outside their natural range, where they can be kept and bred within a captive environment. In this way a meta-population and genetic ‘bank’ can be established in order to manage the conservation of the species more effectively. Currently, rhinosare being exported (or there are plans to export in the very near future)to countries such as the USA, Europe, Singapore, Vietnam and Australia. Such actions are, with very good reason, governed by extremely strict legislation. The following, is according to the “Criteria to be met by the captive facilities/zoos wishing to acquire or keep the rhinoceros imported from South Africa” by Mrs. B.E.E. Molewa, MP (Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs):

To export live rhinoceros from South Africa, export permits are required in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (NEMBA), 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004) and the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Annotation to the CITES Appendix II listing of South Africa’s population of white rhinoceros states that live rhinoceros can be exported to appropriate and acceptable destinations. CITES Resolution Conference 11.20 defines the term “appropriate and acceptable destinations” as destinations where the Scientific Authority of the State of import is satisfied that the proposed recipient of a living specimen is suitably equipped to house and care for it. Moreover, the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs is empowered in terms of Section 59 of NEMBA to advise organs of state on the effective implementation of international agreements.

The Minister and Members of Executive Council (MINMEC) responsible for the conservation of biodiversity in the province, have approved criteria on what is an appropriate and acceptable destination, and that which has to be met by the captive facilities wishing to acquire or keep rhinoceros imported from South Africa. These criteria are as follows:

·         The facility where the rhinoceros imported from South Africa will be kept must be an institutional member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA), an affiliated member of WAZA (for instance, PAZAAB), or an accredited member of a regional zoo association recognised by the CITES Management Authority of the state of import as a reputable association. These associations must require the zoo or the captive facility to:

o   keep a high standard of husbandry and veterinary care;

o   maintain animal record systems;

o   contribute to conservation activities with written conservation action plans for the institution with specific reference to the rhinoceros;

o   contribute to the relevant scientific studies to improve the conservation status of the species, with specific reference to the rhinoceros;

o   promote education as a key component of the institution’s mission;

o   have a written policy that outlines the type of research that it conducts, with specific reference to the rhinoceros; and

o   develop a risk management plan that identifies and assesses potential risk regarding injury/harm to the specimen kept in the facility and the visiting public and employees.

·         Export for re-introduction purposes will only be approved if the export is in range states of the specific species to be introduced.

·         Both horns of the rhinoceros to be exported must be micro-chipped and DNA samples must be taken prior to export. The DNA samples must be sent to the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory at Onderstepoort for analysis and DNA banking.

In addition to adherence to the above-mentioned criteria, the following information is also required to be submitted in terms of Section 88(2)(a) of NEMBA, in order to permit applications for the export of live rhinoceros from South Africa to be considered by the relevant issuing authority:

·         A letter from CITES Management Authority of the importing country, indicating that the rhinoceros’ horns will not be used for commercial purposes, must be provided to the relevant issuing authority.

·         Written confirmation from CITES Scientific Authority of the importing country that the destination is appropriate and acceptable and that the facility is able to house and care for the rhinoceros in accordance with Resolution Conference 11.20.

·         Documentary proof that the rhinoceros’ horns have been micro-chipped and the DNA samples taken should accompany the permit application.

It is thus clear that rhino conservation is being very carefully managed not only nationally, but also internationally and Sondela prides itself in playing a very important and integral part in these efforts, in conjunction with other organisations.