EAZA Rhino Campaign Project 4: The Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy

Location: Zimbabwe
Species: Black (Diceros bicornis minor)
Coordinator: John Gripper, the Sebakwe Black Rhino Trust
Type: Anti-poaching and monitoring
Amount awarded: 30,000 euros

Abstract
The Midlands Black Rhino Conservancy was formed in 1988 by sixteen neighbouring farmers to protect a group of black rhino which had been translocated from the Lower Zambezi Valley, where despite Operation Stronghold, the rhino were being killed by poachers on a daily basis and they were moved from that area for their own security.

A perimeter fence was erected around the ranches of the farmer members and internal fences were taken down so that the rhino could roam freely over 100,000 hectares of bush land which is given over to wildlife. The Midlands Conservancy is recognized as an Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ).  In Zimbabwe all the black rhino are the property of the State and overseen by National Parks. Sebakwe Recreational Park is part of the National Parks and is adjacent to the Conservancy.

The farmer members of the Conservancy act as their guardians and monitor and protect the rhino from the poachers. The Sebakwe Black Rrhino Trust (SBRT) was formed to raise money for the Midlands Conservancy and over the years has financed the erection of the perimeter fence, radios and a vehicle for the Conservator. SBRT also provides the funding for the salaries, wages and equipment and accommodation for the Conservator and the rhino guards.

Some of the original private land in this Conservancy has had to be given up for the Government’s land reform programme but a significant amount of land is still available for the black rhino. In the last three years poaching has increased and there has been widespread snaring of wildlife for meat. The snares are made from wire stolen from the perimeter fences which have to be constantly repaired.

Support
The most important priority is to recruit additional guards, who need need salaries, camping equipment and uniforms, monitoring equipment and vehicle support. In addition, the Conservator needs to rent (and in many cases renovate) housing for the guards.