DOCSLIB.ORG

An Overview of the Conservation Status of and Threats to Rhinoceros Species in the Wild

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
An Overview of the Conservation Status of and Threats to Rhinoceros Species in the Wild 96 ELEPHANTS AND RHINOCEROS Int. Zoo Yb. (2006) 40: 96–117 © The Zoological Society of London An overview of the conservation status of and threats to rhinoceros species in the wild R. AMIN1, K. THOMAS1, R. H. EMSLIE2, T. J. FOOSE3, 5 & N. VAN STRIEN4 1Zoological Society of London, Regent’s Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom, 2IUCN/SSC African Rhino Specialist Group, Box 1212, Hilton 3245, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, 3International Rhino Foundation, 20 Pen Mar Street, Waynesboro, Pennsylvania 17268, USA, and 4IUCN/SSC Asian Rhino Specialist Group, Kondominium Taman Anggrek 3-23B, Jalan Parman. Slipi, Jakarta 11470, Indonesia E-mail: [email protected] This paper summarizes the recent status of rhino- species (Foose et al., 1995) for the ecosys- ceros species, as provided by IUCN Species Survival tems they inhabit because their conserva- Commission’s Rhinoceros Specialist Groups, and describes some of the current conservation measures. tion requirements, by default, encompass At the time of writing there are c. 14 950 rhinoceros those of other smaller species. If rhino- remaining in Africa and c. 2850 in Asia. During the ceros can be successfully conserved and last decade conservation initiatives have achieved protected within an area, then the other notable successes; however, numbers of some species and subspecies have declined over this period and species in the area will also benefit. Before three subspecies are close to extinction. The illegal considering the status of each rhinoceros demand for rhinoceros horn and the subsequent species in turn, it is worth first examining poaching this generates continue to pose a serious the main threats to rhinoceros species threat to rhinoceros populations worldwide. How- worldwide. ever, experience indicates that where anti-poaching efforts are concentrated above minimum threshold levels population losses as a result of poaching can be reduced to a low and sustainable level. However, THREATS TO RHINOCEROS POPULATIONS not all populations receive sufficient protection and Rhinoceros have been hunted for centu- declining budgets of range-state governments for ries as agricultural pests, for trophies and field conservation are a major cause for concern. The role of donor support is, therefore, becoming meat, their skin has been used for shields increasingly important. For some subspecies lack of and good luck charms, and their horn has adequate habitat protection rather than lack of suit- been used in traditional medicines and as able habitat is a major constraint for population handles for ceremonial daggers (Emslie & expansion and growth. Many rhinoceros popu- lations in Africa are managed as part of bigger meta- Brooks, 1999). Over the last century a populations. However, sub-optimal biological significant area of rhinoceros habitat has management is also reducing population growth been degraded or lost as result of land- rates in a number of populations. management practices and human settlement. Key-words: conservation status, endangered species, habitat, illegal trade, protected areas, rhinoceros, Increasing poverty in many African threats countries has often been associated with war and civil unrest, and the associated free flow of weapons has also had a neg- Rhinoceros, like other charismatic megah- ative impact on conservation efforts for erbivores, require large areas to support rhinoceros. For example, insurgencies and viable populations. They act as umbrella civil wars in Nepal, parts of Assam and 5 Dr Tom Foose, International Rhino Foundation Program Director, died on 18 May 2006. One of the foun- ders of the IRF and with a passion for rhinoceros conservation, Tom will be remembered for the enormous contribution he made to the shaping of rhinoceros conservation programmes. REVIEW: RHINOCEROS CONSERVATION STATUS AND IN SITU THREATS 97 the Democratic Republic of the Congo parks in Africa and Asia have increased have led to considerable reductions in over the last 10 years. Evidence suggests numbers in specific parks in recent years that in order to be effective, anti-poaching (Hillman-Smith & Ndey, 2005). efforts need to be concentrated above The use of large tracts of land for wild- minimum threshold levels. Where this can life conservation is under continued threat be achieved, poaching invariably has been in Asia and Africa, as demand for land reduced to low and sustainable levels. For for subsistence farming, cattle grazing and this reason many rhinoceros are main- commercial use, such as plantations and tained in fenced sanctuaries or in intensive logging, increases. Human population protection zones within larger national growth and rising unemployment add to parks where manpower and resources can the pressure for land. In particular, hab- be concentrated at effective levels (Leader- itat loss has had a significant impact on Williams, 1988; Emslie & Brooks, 1999). the Sumatran rhinoceros Dicerorhinus In contrast, attempting to reintroduce sumatrensis. However, many range states rhinoceros into vast tracts of land without still have sufficient land to maintain the necessary budgets and manpower to rhinoceros populations. protect them successfully is not Protection and conservation-manage- recommended. ment programmes for rhinoceros can be Rhinoceros poached in Africa and Asia extremely expensive and beyond the reach are targeted primarily for their horn but of some range states. In both Africa and in some cases the entire carcass is used. Asia effective anti-poaching efforts and However, the preparation and transpor- management of rhinoceros can cost up to tation of other body parts is difficult and US$1000 annually for every square kilo- in practice only the horn is taken from metre of habitat (N. Leader-Williams, most poached animals (E. B. Martin, pers. comm.; T. Conway, pers. comm.). pers. comm.). Well-armed poaching gangs Declining government budgets in real that cross international boundaries in terms and, in some cases, declining search of rhinoceros have also impacted capacity, pose a threat to the continued populations. While most of the profit successes in a number of range states from poaching goes to a few traders and where population numbers have been middlemen, even the small amounts increasing under effective protection and earned by poachers are enough incentive management strategies. Therefore, the to risk fines, imprisonment or death. One assistance of donor agencies is becoming problem is a tendency of the press to pub- increasingly important, as are attempts by licize the high value of rhinoceros horn. a number of range states to increase rev- These are usually quotes of the final resale enue for conservation through eco- prices for rhinoceros horn, which does not tourism. In some southern African bear any relation to the much lower countries rhinoceros contribute towards amount poachers may get for whole horns the cost of conservation through sustain- (especially in Africa). This can send the able-use ventures, such as ecotourism, live misleading message to potential criminals sales and limited sport hunting of old and that there is a lot of money to be made surplus 77. from poaching, when the reality is that in The major threat to rhinoceros is the Africa the rhinoceros are worth far more illegal demand for horn and the poaching alive than the horns are worth to pressure that this trade stimulates. Over poachers. There have been a number of the last few decades poaching has been the cases in Africa in recent years where local main cause of decline in some areas. How- dealers have not been able to sell horn and ever such declines have not been universal have in the end been caught in undercover as populations in many well-protected sting operations, where it became clear 98 ELEPHANTS AND RHINOCEROS that the price poachers thought they could 2005 came from the Northern white command was much higher than the rhinoceros Ceratotherium simum cottoni actual black-market price. (Vigne & Martin, 2006). Jambiya with new rhinoceros-horn handles have been TRADE found on sale openly suggesting that There are two main uses for Rhinoceros craftsmen have little reason to hide them horn. It is carved to make ornate handles because government inspectors are not for jambiyas (ceremonial daggers worn in doing enough to curb the trade (Vigne & Yemen). Rhinoceros horn is also used in Martin, 2006). traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Even though the use of rhinoceros horn (Martin & Martin, 1982; Emslie & in TCM is now banned in most countries, Brooks, 1999). Although the media rhinoceros horn is still being traded routinely claim that a major use of rhino- throughout Asia. It has been suggested ceros horn is as an aphrodisiac, this has that in the late 1980s and early 1990s been found to be largely a myth (Martin rhinoceros horn may have been stockpiled & Martin, 1982). Historically, the Guja- as a speculative investment (Emslie & rati in India did use rhinoceros horn as an Brooks, 1999). With the increased imple- aphrodisiac but following the increase in mentation of domestic trade bans the the price of horn this practice effectively trade has gone underground and it is now ceased (E. B. Martin, pers. comm.). more difficult to monitor and assess levels Since the early 1970s Yemen has of illegal trading. imported the largest quantity of African While some TCM practitioners have rhinoceros horn, which is preferred to identified a number of acceptable substi- Asian rhinoceros horn owing to its larger tutes, others believe that rhinoceros horn size, thus allowing more jambiya dagger is irreplaceable for the treatment of cer- handles to be made per horn. Most illegal tain, sometimes life-threatening, condi- horn from eastern Africa has been smug- tions. In TCM rhinoceros horn is used gled by traders into Yemen. Africa’s primarily for the treatment of ailments, Black rhinoceros Diceros bicornis popu- such as epilepsy, fevers and strokes. Many lation fell from c. 65 000 in 1970 to 2450 pharmacists consider Asian rhinoceros by the early 1990s. It is only in recent horn to be more effective than African years that Yemen became a party to rhinoceros horn.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • AKAGERA Akagera Management Company
    FINANCE MANAGER - AKAGERA Akagera Management Company (AMC) is looking for a Finance Manager to manage its finance operations. The position is based in the park, and reports jointly to the African Parks Network (APN) CFO and Akagera National Park, Park Manager. The right candidate will be passionate about the conservation work being done by African Parks in partnership with the Rwandan Government. The primary purpose of this role will be to: Direct and control the administration of all financial, treasury, taxation and accounting activities in the park, in accordance with African Parks Network (APN) policies, compliance with fiscal, legal and statutory requirements of Rwanda, and adherence to all donor regulations, including: • Leadership on all finance related matters; • Monitoring, recording and reconciliation of revenue collection; • Review and continuous improvement of internal systems. Key Responsibilities: 1. Accounting and Reporting • Supervise the recording, classifying and summarizing of the financial transactions of the park and ensuring the proper update and maintenance of the accounts to ensure that the accounting system provides the basis for an efficient financial information system for both internal and external users and that it is compliant with internationally accepted accounting principles, legal and statutory requirements of the country • Review and provide guidance and coaching to accounting staff ensuring accuracy, correctness and completeness of transactions recorded • Ensure the timeliness of required financial reports to project managers, donors, government partners and Board Members • Prepare periodic reports of financial performance and discuss with head of departments 2. Treasury and Cash Management • Is responsible treasury planning • Liaises with the banks to ensure best rates on forex, transfers, credit card charges etc 3.
    [Show full text]
  • [I]Ceratotherium Simum[I]
    A peer-reviewed version of this preprint was published in PeerJ on 15 May 2019. View the peer-reviewed version (peerj.com/articles/6881), which is the preferred citable publication unless you specifically need to cite this preprint. Panagiotopoulou O, Pataky TC, Hutchinson JR. 2019. Foot pressure distribution in White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) during walking. PeerJ 7:e6881 https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.6881 Foot pressure distribution in White Rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) during walking Olga Panagiotopoulou Corresp., 1 , Todd C Pataky 2 , John R Hutchinson Corresp. 3 1 Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology, Moving Morphology & Functional Mechanics Laboratory, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria, Australia 2 Department of Human Health Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan 3 Department of Comparative Biomedical Sciences, Structure and Motion Laboratory, Royal Veterinary College, Hatfield, United Kingdom Corresponding Authors: Olga Panagiotopoulou, John R Hutchinson Email address: [email protected], [email protected] White rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) are odd-toed ungulates that belong to the group Perissodactyla and are second only to elephants in terms of large body mass amongst extant tetrapods, making them fascinating studies for how large land animals support and move themselves. Rhinoceroses often are kept in captivity for protection from ivory poachers and for educational/touristic purposes, yet a detrimental side effect of captivity can be foot disease (i.e. enthesopathies and osteoarthritis around the phalanges). Foot diseases in large mammals are multifactorial, but locomotor biomechanics (e.g. pressures routinely experienced by the feet) surely can be a contributing factor. However, due to a lack of in vivo experimental data on rhinoceros foot pressures, our knowledge of locomotor performance and its links to foot disease is limited.
    [Show full text]
  • The Interspecific Relationships of Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis) in Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park
    The interspecific relationships of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park Roan David Plotz B.Sc. (ConsBiolEcol) (Hons1); GradDipEd (Sec) A thesis submitted to Victoria University of Wellington in fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Ecology and Biodiversity 2014 1 2 “To Ryker, may the wild places of this world long remain protected to captivate and inspire you” Black rhino near the Black iMfolozi River in Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, Zululand, South Africa (Photograph by Dale Morris). “We learn more by looking for the answer to a question and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself.” Lloyd Alexander 3 4 ABSTRACT As habitat loss, predators (human and non-human) and disease epidemics threaten species worldwide, protected sanctuaries have become vital to species conservation. Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park (HiP) in South Africa is at the centre of one of the world’s greatest conservation success stories. The formal proclamation of HiP in 1895 prevented the extinction of the south-central black rhino (Diceros bicornis minor) population. In recent times HiP has been a strategic source population for the D. b. minor range expansion program, facilitating an 18-fold population increase across southern Africa. However, HiP’s own black rhino population appears to be in decline. Evidence for decline is most often attributed to overpopulation and poor habitat quality that is driving apparently significant increases in the average home range sizes, poor growth rates (i.e., low calf recruitment) and poor body condition of black rhino. Other factors such as non-human calf predation and parasitism have also been raised as potential causes of decline but remain untested.
    [Show full text]
  • Biodiversity Act (10/2004) » Non-Detriment
    4 No. 42660 GOVERNMENT GAZETTE, 22 AUGUST 2019 GOVERNMENT NOTICES • GOEWERMENTSKENNISGEWINGS Environmental Affairs, Department of/ Omgewingsake, Departement van DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS NO. 1104 22 AUGUST 2019 1104 National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act (10/2004): Non-detriment findings for Black rhino for public consultation 42660 NON- DETRIMENT FINDINGS CONSULTATION IN TERMS OF SECTION 62(3) OF THE NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTALMANAGEMENT: BIODIVERSITY ACT, 2004 (ACT NO.10 OF 2004) I, Barbara Dallas Creecy, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, hereby,under section 62(3) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, 2004 (Act No. 10 of 2004), give noticeof my intention to publish non -detriment findings for Diceros bloom's (black rhinoceros)made by the ScientificAuthority in the Schedule hereto. Members of the public are invited to submit to the Scientific Authority, within 30 days fromthe date of the publication of the notice in the Gazette, written scientific information relating to thenon -detriment findings to the following addresses: By post to: Chair: Scientific Authority South African National Biodiversity Institute Attention: Ms M Pfab Private Bag X101 PRETORIA 0001 By hand at: 2 Cussonia Avenue, Brummeria, Pretoria, 0001 By email: m.Dfabasanbi.ord.za By fax: 086 555 9863 Comments received after the closing date may not be considered. MS B D CREECY, MP MINISTER OF ENVIRONMENT, FORESTRY AND FISHERIES STAATSKOERANT, 22 AUGUSTUS 2019 No. 42660 5 Non -detriment finding assessmentfor Diceros bicornis(black rhinoceros) Issued by the Scientific Authority of South Africa Summary of findings The South African population of Diceros bicornis (black rhinoceros) is included in Appendix iof the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the export of wild- sourced specimens for commercial purposes is therefore prohibited.
    [Show full text]
  • Rhinoceros & Tiger Conservation
    U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Rhinoceros & Tiger Conservation Act Summary Report 2001-2003 1 The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s mission is working with others to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. We are the only agency of the U.S. Government with that primary mission. The Service also supports the Department of the Interior’s Strategic Plan to involve various partners such as State and local governments, communities, federally recognized Tribes, non-governmental organizations, and private citizens. The Service’s Division of International Conservation and its partners worldwide support these goals through cross-border cooperation to preserve the habitats that sustain migratory and endangered species. The leadership, knowledge, and cooperation of international partners is crucial to ensure the global conservation of these species and their habitats. Front: Greater one-horned rhinoceros in tall grass habitat of Kaziranga National Park in India’s northeastern state of Assam. International Rhino Foundation Rhinoceros & Tiger Conservation Act Summary Report 2001-2003 A child living in the vicinity of Russia’s tiger habitat created this painting for an art competition. The competition was a component of an education program supported by the Rhinoceros and Tiger Conservation Fund to develop support for tiger conservation among young people. Artwork property of Khabarovsk Wildlife Foundation Government and non-government personnel of Lao PDR, working with Wildlife Conservation Society staff (top), are conducting a tiger camera trap survey (center) of the country’s most promising tiger habitat. Resulting camera trap photographs include the tiger (bottom) and its prey, a sambhar (right), in Nam Et Phou Louey National Protected Area.
    [Show full text]
  • AZA Animal Care Manual
    LION (Panthera leo) CARE MANUAL CREATED BY THE AZA LION SPECIES SURVIVAL PLAN® IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE Association of Zoos and Aquariums 1 AZA FELID TAXON ADVISORY GROUP Lion (Panthera leo) Care Manual Lion (Panthera leo) Care Manual Published by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums in association with the AZA Animal Welfare Committee Formal Citation: AZA Lion Species Survival Plan (2012). Lion Care Manual. Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Silver Spring, MD. p. 143. Authors and Significant contributors: Hollie Colahan, Editor, Denver Zoo, AZA Lion SSP Coordinator Cheri Asa, Ph.D, St. Louis Zoo Christy Azzarello-Dole, Brookfield Zoo Sally Boutelle, St. Louis Zoo Mike Briggs, DVM, APCRO, AZA Lion SSP Veterinary Advisor Kelly Cox, Knoxville Zoo Liz Kellerman, Abilene Zoo Suzan Murray, DVM, Smithsonian’s National Zoo, AZA Lion SSP Veterinary Advisor Lisa New, Knoxville Zoo Budhan Pukazhenthi, Ph.D, Smithsonian’s National Zoo, AZA Lion SSP Reproductive Advisor Sarah Putman, Smithsonian’s National Zoo Kibby Treiber, Fort Worth Zoo, AZA Lion SSP Nutrition Advisor Ann Ward, Ph.D, Fort Worth Zoo, AZA Lion SSP Nutrition Advisor Contributors to earlier Husbandry Manual and Standardized Guidelines drafts: Dominic Calderisi, Lincoln Park Zoo Brent Day, Little Rock Zoo Pat Thomas, Ph.D, Bronx Zoo Tarren Wagener, Fort Worth Zoo Megan Wilson, Ph.D, Zoo Atlanta Reviewers: Christy Azzarello-Dole, Brookfield Zoo Joe Christman, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, SSP Management Group Karen Dunn, Tulsa Zoo, SSP Management Group Norah Fletchall, Indianapolis Zoo,
    [Show full text]
  • Male Behaviours Signal the Female's Reproductive State in a Pair of Black
    Research article Male behaviours signal the female’s reproductive state in a pair of black rhinoceros housed at Lincoln Park Zoo Rachel M. Santymire1, Sabrina Misek2,3, Jill Gossett2, Mark Kamhout2, Erik Chatroop4 and Michelle Rafacz1,5 1Davee Center for Epidemiology and Endocrinology, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, USA 2Animal Care Department, Lincoln Park Zoo, Chicago, IL 60614, USA 3Animal Care Department, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, IN 46222, USA 4Transplant Laboratory, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL 60611, USA 5Science and Mathematics Department, Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL 60605, USA Correspondence: Rachel Santymire; e-mail: [email protected] JZAR Research article Research JZAR Keywords: Abstract breeding, Diceros bicornis michaeli, The black rhinoceros (rhino; Diceros bicornis) is a Critically Endangered species due to habitat loss and faecal hormone metabolites, oestrous poaching. Zoological institutions’ breeding programs have been minimally successful over the years. cycle Our goal was to introduce and breed an eastern black rhino (Diceros bicornis michaeli) pair at Lincoln Park Zoo (LPZ; Chicago, IL USA). The specific objectives were to: 1) use faecal hormone metabolite and Article history: serum analyses to monitor the female’s reproductive state (via progesterone) and male’s testosterone Received: 8 July 2015 production; 2) determine the behaviours that signalled the female was in oestrus; and 3) use these data Accepted: 15 January 2016 to determine the optimal time to introduce the pair. Faecal samples and behavioural observations were Published online: 31 January 2016 collected daily. Sera were collected without restraint during routine veterinary procedures. Results demonstrated that the male’s faecal and serum testosterone concentrations changed with the female’s reproductive state.
    [Show full text]
  • Cop18 Doc. 48
    Original language: English CoP18 Doc. 48 CONVENTION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE IN ENDANGERED SPECIES OF WILD FAUNA AND FLORA ____________________ Eighteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties Colombo (Sri Lanka), 23 May-03 June 2019 Interpretation and implementation matters Regulation of trade BLACK RHINOCEROS HUNTING TROPHIES: EXPORT QUOTA FOR SOUTH AFRICA 1. This document has been submitted by South Africa.* COMMENTS OF THE SECRETARIAT A. As required by Resolution Conf. 9.21 (Rev. CoP13) on Interpretation and application of quotas for species included in Appendix I, South Africa has submitted this request for amending Resolution Conf. 13.5 (Rev. CoP14) on Establishment of export quotas for black rhinoceros hunting trophies with supporting information, including details of the scientific basis for the proposed increased quota 150 days prior to the meeting of the Conference of the Parties. B. South Africa explains the rationale for a proposed increase from an annual export quota of five hunting trophies of adult male black rhinoceros to “a total number of adult black rhinoceroses not exceeding 0.5% of the total black rhinoceros population in South Africa in the year of export (equally applied to all three subspecies, i.e. 0.5% of the total population of each of the three subspecies)”. It is noted that South Africa states that it has not utilised its full current quota of 5 male hunting trophies for the period 2005 to 2015. C. South Africa argues that this is a conservative increase that supports the adaptive management of its black rhino populations, and allows for adjustments based on population size, while maintaining a restriction that only males that meet a set of safeguard criteria qualify for hunting.
    [Show full text]
  • Modeling Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis) Population Performance In
    y & E sit nd er a v n i g d e o i r e Journal of B d f S o Soka GE, Rija AA and Owino A, J Biodivers p l e a c ISSN:n 2332-2543 r i e u Endanger Species 2014, 2:3 s o J Biodiversity & Endangered Species DOI: 10.4172/2332-2543.1000126 Research Article Open Access Modeling Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) Population Performance in East Africa: The Case of Lake Nakuru National Park, Kenya Geofrey E Soka1*, Alfan A Rija1 and Alfred Owino2 1Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania 2National Museums of Kenya, PO Box 40658, Nairobi, Kenya *Corresponding author: Geofrey E Soka, Department of Wildlife Management, Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania, Tel: 255782975720; E-mail: [email protected] Rec date: Mar 21, 2014; Acc date: Apr 24, 2014; Pub date: May 4, 2014 Copyright: © 2014 Soka GE, et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited. Abstract The black rhinoceros have declined across Africa both in numbers and range distribution, making long-term population persistence of this iconic species uncertain. We conducted simulation models to predict population performance of black rhinoceros in Lake Nakuru National Park under different scenarios of environmental variation and translocation regimes. A decade-long (1987-1997) demographic data were used to construct stochastic simulation models using VORTEX computer program. In addition, we assessed extinction risks and patterns of heterozygosity among the modelled populations (reported every five years) to characterize the dynamics of this population over a hundred years.
    [Show full text]
  • Diceros Bicornis Michaeli)
    INVESTIGATING POPULATION PERFORMANCE AND FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE REPRODUCTIVE SUCCESS IN THE EASTERN BLACK RHINOCEROS (DICEROS BICORNIS MICHAELI) Thesis submitted in accordance with the requirements of the University of Liverpool for the degree of Doctor in Philosophy by Katie Louise Edwards June 2013 ii ABSTRACT Investigating population performance and factors that influence reproductive success in the eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli). Katie L. Edwards With fewer than 5000 black rhinoceros remaining, ex situ populations play a vital role in the conservation of this species. To reinforce in-situ conservation efforts, captive populations must be self-sustaining, both demographically and genetically, to maximise future viability. The aim of this thesis was to determine the sustainability of the European captive population of eastern black rhinoceros, and investigate factors that may influence population performance in this species. Population viability analysis of demographic data from in situ managed black rhinoceros populations were used to establish the variability in population growth rates across reserves. Secondly, these data were used to calculate fecundity, mortality and population structure performance indicators, as a reference for how this species can perform under natural conditions. The same analyses were then applied to the European ex situ population, to determine whether the population is demographically and genetically self-sustaining, and identify areas for potential improvement. The European captive population of eastern black rhinoceros, although currently self- sustaining, is performing sub-optimally both with respect to their in situ counterparts, and to a proposed target of 5% growth per annum. Population performance is primarily limited by sub-optimal reproduction, both in terms of individuals producing fewer calves per annum, and due to a high degree of reproductive skew across the population, leading to a large proportion of individuals failing to produce offspring.
    [Show full text]
  • Black Rhinoceros (Diceros Bicornis) in U.S
    Zoo Biology 18:35–52 (1999) Black Rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) in U.S. Zoos: II. Behavior, Breeding Success, and Mortality in Relation to Housing Facilities Kathy Carlstead,1* John Fraser,2 Cynthia Bennett,3 and Devra G. Kleiman1 1Department of Zoological Research, National Zoological Park, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC 2Metro Washington Park Zoo, Portland, Oregon 3Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas The captive population of black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) is not self-sustain- ing. The reasons for suboptimal reproduction and high mortality need to be in- vestigated. This can only be achieved by cross-institutional analyses of environments, behavior, and performance. In this study, we collected data on 23 zoos with black rhinoceros to compare zoo environments with reproductive suc- cess, mortality, and behavior. Institutional variation was characterized by enclo- sure area, percentage of walls around enclosure perimeter, percentage of public access along enclosure perimeter, climate, noise level, number of years zoo has maintained black rhinoceros, frequency of chlorine use, and number of male and female black rhinoceros at a zoo simultaneously. Birth and death rates for each institution were calculated from studbook records. We found that the breeding success of a zoo since 1973 correlated positively with enclosure area, and zoos with two or more females had a lower reproductive rate than zoos with only one female. Females residing during their pre-reproductive years at a zoo with an- other reproductive female gave birth for the first time on average 3 years later than sole females. Mortality since 1973 correlated positively with percentage of public access. In Part I, we developed behavior profiles of 29.31 individual black rhinoceros from keeper ratings.
    [Show full text]
  • 2018 Annual Report on Conservation and Science
    Annual Report on Conservation and Science INTRODUCTION 2 2018 Annual Report on Conservation and Science The Association of Zoos and Aquariums and its member facilities envision a world where, as a result of their work, all people respect, value, and conserve wildlife and wild places. The 2018 Annual Report on Conservation and Science (ARCS) celebrates the conservation efforts, education programs, green (sustainable) business practices, and research projects of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums and certified related facilities. Content in ARCS reflects submissions made to annual surveys available through AZA’s website. Each survey topic has been carefully defined to maximize consistency of reporting throughout the AZA community. AZA’s Wildlife Conservation Committee and Research and Technology Committee review all of the relevant submissions by members to promote even greater consistency. Field conservation focuses on efforts having a direct impact on animals and habitats in the wild. Education programming includes those with specific goals and delivery methods, defined content, and a clear primary discipline and target audience. Mission-focused research projects involve application of the scientific method, are hypothesis (or question)-driven, involve systematic data collection, and analysis of those data and draw conclusions from the research process. Green business practices focus on the annual documentation and usage of key resources: energy, fuel for transportation, waste, and water – as well as identification of specific green practices being implemented. AZA is grateful to each member that responded to these surveys. The response rate for each 2018 survey was as follows: » field conservation – 92% » education programming – 59% » green business practices – 65% » mission-focused research – 65% While the 2018 ARCS focuses on individual activities undertaken that year, download the 2018 Highlights (available at: aza.org/annual-report-on-conservation-and-science) to learn more about what the AZA community accomplished together.
    [Show full text]