“In the heart of Zimbabwe, dedicated conservationists are working tirelessly to safeguard one of Africa’s largest black rhino populations. Discover how monitoring efforts and strategic relocations are helping to turn the tide against poaching and ensure a future for these majestic creatures”
Zimbabwe stands as a beacon of hope in the fight to protect Africa’s rhino populations. With over 1,000 rhinos, including 616 black and 417 white rhinos, Zimbabwe ranks among the top four countries in Africa for rhino conservation. However, this success story is born from a troubled past where poaching nearly wiped out these incredible animals.
During the height of the poaching crisis in the late 1980s and early 90s, guerrilla militias in the Zambezi Valley played an unexpected role in deterring poachers. However, as Zimbabwe gained independence in 1980 and the militias moved on, organized poaching networks infiltrated the area, causing the rhino population to plummet to around 450 by 1992.
In a desperate bid to save the remaining rhinos, conservationists made the bold decision to relocate them to safer, intensively protected conservancies in the southern regions of Zimbabwe. Through a series of extensive operations, approximately 300 rhinos were moved from the perilous Zambezi to secure locations such as the Save Valley Conservancy (SVC) and Bubiana Conservancy. These founding populations thrived in their new environments, leading to a gradual increase in their numbers.
However, the battle was far from over. In 2002, the rhinos at Bubiana Conservancy once again faced danger and needed a new sanctuary. The Lowveld Rhino Trust (LRT) stepped in, relocating them to the Bubye Valley Conservancy (BVC), a former cattle ranch transformed into a wildlife haven. At that time, BVC had no rhinos and few other wild species, but over the past two decades, it has become home to one of Africa’s most genetically diverse black rhino populations.
The success of this relocation and the continued growth of the rhino population at BVC can be largely attributed to the meticulous monitoring efforts by the LRT. Using a unique ear-notch numbering system, the Trust’s Rhino Monitors keep a close watch on each rhino, ensuring their health and well-being while tracking the dynamics of the population. Each month, the team aims to identify 80 different rhinos across the vast 3,200 square kilometers of BVC. Despite the challenges posed by dense vegetation, they managed to achieve an impressive average of over 160 identifications each month in 2022, thanks to the use of camera traps and aerial surveys.
This rigorous monitoring not only helps to maintain the health of the rhinos but also serves as an early warning system for potential poaching threats. By understanding the social networks and movements of the rhinos, LRT can quickly detect any disruptions that might indicate poaching activity. This approach prevents misleading assessments of population stability, ensuring a true count of the rhinos within the conservancy.
In 2023, the Anna Merz Rhino Trust provided a $25,000 grant to support LRT’s critical monitoring work. These funds were used to equip the Rhino Monitoring Unit with essential gear, maintain vehicles, and support Task Force operatives in their efforts to combat poaching. Thanks to these efforts, poaching levels in the Lowveld region have declined, and not a single rhino at BVC was lost to poaching in 2023.
Despite these positive developments, the fight against poaching is far from over. Corruption continues to undermine law enforcement efforts, and poaching remains a significant threat, not just in Zimbabwe but across Africa. In 2023, South Africa saw an increase in poaching incidents, with 499 rhinos lost compared to 448 the previous year. Even the critically endangered Javan rhino in Indonesia has fallen victim to poaching.
Nevertheless, the progress made at Bubye Valley Conservancy is a testament to what can be achieved with dedicated conservation efforts and the support of donors like the Anna Merz Rhino Trust. BVC’s growing rhino population now supports the reintroduction of rhinos to other areas, including Gonarezhou National Park.
While challenges persist, there is hope on the horizon. The remarkable recovery of Zimbabwe’s rhino population at BVC is a symbol of resilience and determination, showing that with continued effort, these magnificent creatures can have a future free from the shadow of extinction.
