Namibian Black Rhino Habitat

25 years ago, as a result of poaching, the black rhino (Diceros bicornis bicornis) teetered on the edge of extinction. In response, Save the Rhino Trust, a non-governmental organisation, was formed and, together with local communities, succeeded in eliminating poaching in the Kunene region of Namibia. Today north-west Namibia holds the largest unfenced population of black rhino in Africa.

In September 2005, a black rhino workshop was held in Grootberg, north-west Namibia, among different stakeholders, where different research needs for black rhino were identified - amongst them, the need to research the habitat of the black rhino on a local scale. This project aims to explore the use of habitat by the black rhino within its range, taking into account plant density, diversity, composition of trees and shrubs, and investigate the influence of terrain on both the vegetation and on the black rhinos.

To date Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) has location data (GPS) for individual rhinos in the north-west and understands the habitat on a large scale. The study found that rhinos were more likely to occur in areas that were close to springs, further away from human habitation, and areas of higher altitudes. The availability of good plant browse was seen as a major influence on black rhino distribution but there have been no local scale, floristic studies of vegetation based on the known black rhino range. The main objective of this study is to answer this by characterising black rhino habitat use and suitability within their current range based on a local scale vegetation study. The Namibian Black Rhino Assessment, carried out by M.Sc. student, Basilia Shivute, therefore explored the use of habitat by the black rhino within its range, taking into account plant density, diversity, composition of trees and shrubs, and investigated the influence of terrain on both the vegetation and on the black rhinos.

The location data for individual rhinos will be pooled and used to calculate the size of each home range, and therefore determine the various parts of the area that are "high use", "low use" or "no use" areas of the individual rhinoceros. Within these the composition of plants, their diversity, types, height, and density, and where they are found will all be observed.

The project will aid in determining suitable habitats for black rhino within potential reintroduction sites. It also aims to establish a means of rapid monitoring of black rhino habitat, which can be incorporated into Save the Rhino Trust (SRT) monitoring programme. Finally, the study will add to the much-needed vegetation diversity database in these areas.

The beneficiaries of the project include the Ministry of Environment and Tourism (aiding in their reintroduction programmes), local community, local guides and tour operators in adding to their knowledge, and the Save the Rhino Trust in helping the Trust to establish a means of rapid monitoring of their rare charges.