Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, South Africa

 

 

Location: KwaZulu-Natal Province Project leaders: Dave Robertson (iMfolozi) and Dirk Swart (Hluhluwe) Project partner: Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife Rhino species: Black rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) and white rhino (Ceratotherium simum simum) Rhino numbers: Approximately 60 black rhino and 200 white rhino Activities: Anti-poaching, monitoring, education Support: We fundraise to pay for equipment for the monitoring and anti-poaching teams, such as digital cameras, GPSs, solar panels, rifle safes, camping gear etc Funding partners: EAZA Rhino Campaign, Safari Club International (London chapter), Safari Club International Foundation, Colchester Zoo’s Action for the Wild fund, Salzburg Zoo

 

iMfolozi Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Province in South Africa is one of Africa’s oldest protected areas. It was proclaimed by the British colonial administration in 1895, but even prior to this had been the exclusive hunting domain of Zulu kings, including the legendary King Shaka. It is administered by Ezemvelo KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife (EKZNW), the provincial nature conservation authority for KZN. Formerly known as Umfolozi Game Reserve, and administered by the Natal Parks Board, it became synonymous with rhino conservation during the last century. The Reserve was actually initially proclaimed to protect the last few remaining Southern white rhino in Africa.

Through the dedication and sheer hard work of staff in the Reserve, the number of white rhinos increased to the extent that, in the 1960s, Operation Rhino was launched. This saw excess rhinos in iMfolozi being captured and sent to restock reserves throughout Africa, as well as to many zoos overseas. Current management is continuing in the tradition of their predecessors, and the Reserve’s populations of both white and black rhinos have IUCN Key 1 status. The focus has shifted more to the more endangered black rhino, but each year ‘surplus’ white and black rhinos are still captured to restock other protected areas and game farms.

iMfolozi Game Reserve forms one contiguous area with Hluhluwe Game Reserve in the north, and together they are referred to as Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

The threat of rhino poaching is higher now than it has been since the mid 1990s, and in recent months, a number of rhinos have been poached in KwaZulu Natal. The trends indicate a significant global increase in the demand for rhino horn, and rhino protection is currently given top priority in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park.

Experience has shown that the best way to combat poaching is through direct anti-poaching work, coupled with sound neighbour relations and environmental education programmes.

To read an account by Kerim Hilmi, member of Safari Club International, of his visit to iMfolozi Game Reserve in June 2008, to see how SCI's funds are being used, please download the document below.