Rhino News from across Africa

Read on for the month’s top rhino news…..

World Ranger Day 2015

Save the Rhino recognises the importance of well-equipped, highly trained and motivated ranger teams in combating rhino poaching and protecting other wildlife. Many of our grants are focused on providing support for the ranger teams, including equipment, accommodation and training.

During June, with thanks to fantastic support by US Fish & Wildlife Service and many other donors, Save the Rhino sent out £360,204 worth of grants to the field programmes we support. This included:
– $58,708 to Borana Conservancy in Kenya, to help pay for new ranger accommodation and ablution blocks
– $50,000 to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park in South Africa, for repairs to field accommodation for the rangers
– £35,163 to uMkhuze Game Reserve, South Africa to help pay for water installation in some of the more remote ranger outposts

You can support rangers by donating to our Help a Ranger, Save a Rhino appeal.

Namibian rhino update

In June, five people were arrested in Namibia’s Kunene region after being found with fresh rhino horns and a rifle.
Investigation began after staff from Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) reported suspicious tracks, which was followed by swift coordinated action with the Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the Namibian Police Force leading to the arrest of the suspects.

The poaching victim was a 13-year-old black rhino cow who had a young calf. The calf died shortly after the incident, most likely due to the stress of losing its mother, being relocated and the cold night.

Our current Michael Hearn intern, Aron, has recently returned from a month assisting Save the Rhino Trust. Check out his blog to read about his experiences.

Death of Northern white rhino leaves only four individuals alive

Only four Northern white rhinos remain on earth after a 31-year-old female named Nabiré died at Dv?r Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic on Monday 27 July, zookeepers said.

According to the zoo, Nabiré died from from complications arising from a ruptured pathological cyst, which was untreatable.

Three of the remaining Northern white rhinos live in Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Kenya, with one other female in San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Read more on this story.

Drones and rhino conservation

Over the past few years, there has been an increasing amount of discussion over the role of new technologies in protecting wildlife, particularly drones.

We are often asked about the use of drones in rhino conservation, so we’ve put together an article on our‘Thorny issues’ page to explore some of the key questions: What are they used for? How effective are they? How much do they cost? And ultimately do they help protect wildlife?

Read The use of drones in rhino conservation

Mozambique burns huge rhino horn seizure

Earlier this month Mozambique undertook a controversial move to burn rhino horns and ivory seized during a big bust by Mozambican authorities in May 2015.

Although the burn sends out a strong signal of Mozambique’s commitment to tackle the illegal wildlife trade, there are concerns that vital evidence related to the poaching cases and stockroom thefts has now been destroyed.

Read the full story.

We would love to hear your thoughts on all our stories and the work that we do, please comment on our website, facebook or twitter pages! Or why not get involved and become a member or help fundraisefor one of our programmes

Photo credits: SRI, Dirk Swart, Steve & Ann Toon, Norbert Guthier, Mark Carwardine, Renaud Fulconis