Introduction to Save the Rhino Trust, Namibia
Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) is an indigenous Namibian non-governmental organisation (Reg. no. WO 53). SRT has been actively engaged in the conservation of the black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) inhabiting the communal areas, in the arid Northwest of Kunene and Erongo Region (formally Damaraland and Kaokoland), for 23 years. SRT effectively provides a support service to the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET) and conservancies in the area, co-ordinating the specific monitoring and research needs of this population of rhinos. All activities are conducted in co-ordination with the Namibian Government's Rhino Advisory Committee (RAC), conservancies, Regional Government and traditional leaders. SRT has an official Mandate from MET to conduct the monitoring and research on Communal State Land.
The escarpment zone in Kunene Region and the Brandberg in Erongo Region are recognised as endemically rich areas of Namibia. The area has one of the only black rhino populations worldwide that has survived on communal land that has no formal conservation status. Only a small section of Kunene and Erongo Region’s coast has official conservation status within the protected area network (the Skeleton Coast National Park), to the east, wildlife still ranges in communal farming areas, though much of this area is uninhabited. The African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) rates the population as a Key 1 Population, representing the only desert ecotype population of black rhino in Africa.
Present Status
The black rhinoceros of Northwestern Namibia are typical of a population that have been poached to near extinction and are now showing a recovery in numbers following the successful implementation of appropriate conservation measures. The development of a community-based conservation approach in the early 1980s was balanced by intensive field operations and strong law enforcement carried out by both government and non-governmental organisations. These measures have achieved the turn around in poaching of black rhino and reflect the now high level of conservation seen in the area..
The SRT project is responsible for reporting to the traditional leaders, community and to the government on rhino mortalities, births, population trends, straying rhino and problems, which may develop. As part of this programme, the capacity for communities to undertake effective monitoring of the rhino population is seen as essential to the continued high standard of conservation in the area.
Should the project cease, the threat of poaching from outsiders is likely to begin again. Although the government, Ministry of Environment and Tourism, employs a Wildlife Protection Service (WPS) on communal farmland, the area requiring their attention is vast (approximately 25,000km2) and the majority of their time is spent attending to problem animals on farms. The WPS currently does not have the specialised training needed for the intensive monitoring of the black rhino, and the registration of conservancies, as yet, does not include the major habitat of the black rhino. The Ministry of Environment and Tourism also experiences severe budget constraints and is forced to concentrate on the major parks and tourist attractions as budgetary priorities.
Studies on the black rhino in this area have identified key ecological factors that must be considered in the management of the area. Further research is necessary to assist the design and implementation of appropriate land use and management plans for this area. Prior to 1991/2, surveys of this rhino population had not allowed the accurate assessment of its total size and growth rate. A census was undertaken in this year; initiated by SRT in conjunction with the MET and staff and community game guards. This rhino population census was followed up five years later by another in 1997/8, and again in 2002/03.
SRT holds ad hoc discussions with the regional chief, headmen and councillors. Quarterly meetings are arranged with community conservancy and community development committees. The SRT staff and research officers have contributed to a number of the quarterly conservancy planning meetings held in the western Kunene Region. SRT also holds periodic meetings if necessary with the Government Wildlife Agency, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (MET).