![]() ![]() To manage a newly established rhino population efficiently its ecological requirements must be addressed. Initially most Black rhino initiatives focussed on enhanced security through the deployment of paramilitary squads and fencing of reserves/sanctuaries. Although these activities are important, initiatives aimed at describing preferred ecological and habitat requirements of black rhino have received less attention from financial donors and resource managers. ![]() More recently, feeding and population ecology have been recognised as key pillars in understanding the wider implications of black rhino conservation. This project will address these knowledge gaps, and will in so doing, contribute to the population recovery of this critically endangered species. ![]() The Majete Wildlife Reserve (MWR) is located in the Lower Shire Valley at the southernmost tip of Africa’s Great Rift Valley. Poaching was rife in the 1980/90’s and by 2000 most species had been eliminated, or reduced to very low numbers, including elephant and rhinos. Illegal logging, community encroachment, unsustainable fishing and uncontrolled agriculture were also widespread. MWR had no tourism and had little or no positive economic impact on the livelihoods of the numerous communities living on its periphery. In March 2003, African Parks Majete (Pty) Ltd, concluded an agreement with the Malawi Department of National Parks and Wildlife to take on responsibility for the rehabilitation, development and management of MWR. Paramount in the decision to rehabilitate MWR is the ecological significance of MWR as a remnant representation of the Eastern Miombo Ecoregion (an endangered, species-rich African tropical savanna ecosystem) and its local significance of habitat provision, ecosystem functions provided by the various woodland types and the Shire River. The potential for community enrichment through conservation also contributed to the rehabilitation decision. A total of 2554 animals of 14 species were re-introduced including black rhino.The black rhinoceros ( DicerosBicornis), or hooked rhinoceros, is a perissodactyl mammal of the African flat regions, and is most common to the areas of Botswana, Kenya, Cameroon, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Malawi, Mozambique and, of course, our beloved Tanzania. Its size and aggressiveness have earned it a place in the Big Five, Africa’s five largest animals, and it is one of the most beautiful animals to watch on a safari in Tanzania. The Black Rhinoceros belongs to the rinocerontidi family that first appeared in the Eocene period about fifty million years ago. The division between black and white rhinoceroses began to take place in the late Miocene period, ending some 4 million years ago.Īlthough its name is reminiscent of the colour black, this name was actually given for quite a different reason. The white rhinoceros got its name because of a poor translation of the word wyd, which means wide in Afrikaans, and not white as the English thought. ![]() This is why rhinoceroses are distinguished by colour and not by size. The hooked rhino is quite a unique specie. Its height ranges from 140 cm to 180 cm at the withers (i.e. Up to the shoulders), with a length of about 3.5 m. ![]()
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