Zulu Nyala Rhino Crisis

ZULUNYALA
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RHINO CONSERVATION PROJECT.
Zulu Nyala Game Reserve - Established in 1981 - situated near the town of Hluhluwe,
in the north eastern part of KwaZulu, Natal - South Africa.
BRIEF HISTORY OF ZULU NYALA GAME RESERVE.
May 1981 Trevor Shaw purchases 15 500 acres of land from the Bester Brothers and establishes Zulu Nyala Game Reserve.
The Game reserve is named after the mighty Zulu tribe who settled this area of the country back in the 1700’s, and home to the Nyala
antelope which is found in prolific numbers in this part of Zululand.
Zulu Nyala becomes one of the largest privately owned game reserves in Northern Zululand and a conservation success story for
the variety of natural fauna and flora that occurs here.
Trevor Shaw is one of the first land owners in Zululand to reintroduce rhino onto private game reserves. Before this, rhino could
only be found on Government Game Reserves and National Parks.
Zulu Nyala is home to an abundance of different species of game, such as Cheetah, Leopard, Elephant, Rhino, Hippo, Crocodile,
Buffalo Giraffe, Nyala, Kudu, Zebra, Wildebeest, Impala, Warthog, Waterbuck and many other species, as well as a wide variety of
bird, plant, reptile and insect life.
1991 - 15 000 acres of Zulu Nyala, and a portion of the wildlife is sold to ConsCorp, who purchase the land for the local Zulu tribe
who claim ancestral rights. ConsCorp go on to establish Phinda Game Reserve on behalf of the local tribe and community. This
community reserve forms the western border with the present day Zulu Nyala Game Reserve.
The remaining 500 acres of the original property is then added to an additional 4500 acres of surrounding property that is
purchased by Trevor Shaw, which is then developed into the present day 5000 acre Zulu Nyala Game Reserve, specialising in ecotourism and boasting an outstanding variety and abundance of animal, bird and plant life.
After the sale of the 15 000 acres to ConsCorp in 1981, Trevor went on to purchase the 10 000 acre Mabula Game Reserve in the
Limpopo Province, thus continuing his involvement in conservation, while redeveloping the "new" Zulu Nyala.
Zulu Nyala has been in existence for 33 years and the Shaw Family are still proudly involved in conservation and the uplifting of
local communities, and the community at large.
Trevor Shaw has just been made a member of the Explorers Club in New York, in recognition of his efforts for rhino and wildlife
conservation. He has also been a member of the prestigious Diamond Club of South Africa for the past 49 years.
The Shaw Family Trust has also erected a plaque at The Lookout Point on the Reserve, to honour and acknowledge the management
and staff of Zulu Nyala for their efforts in rhino conservation.
RHINO CONSERVATION.
The province of KwaZulu Natal, and its provincial conservation authority - Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife (formerly Natal Parks Board)
are renowned as the founding leaders in rhino conservation.
KZN boasts one of the oldest game reserves in the world - the well-known Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve. This 100 000 hectare
(250 000 acre) wild life paradise was established in 1895 - just 23 years after Yellowstone National Park.
In the late 1800's and early 1900's rhino in South Africa were hunted and killed illegally until the very brink of extinction.
Hluhluwe and Umfolozi got international recognition back in the 1950's when the warden at the time - Ian Player and his game
rangers, field staff and researchers pioneered the concept of "Operation Rhino" - to help save Zululands dwindling rhino
population.
This major conservation drive was brought about because South Africa's rhino populations were declining at a rapid pace - a mere
650 were what remained in the country at the time.
The late Dr. Ian Player (brother of the well-known international golfer Gary Player) was the driving force behind Operation Rhino
in the region, and he and his teams dedicated efforts in the Hluhluwe Umfolozi Game Reserve, back in the 1950's and 60's, was
recognized as the backbone for South Africa's rhino conservation success story.
Dr. Player's rhino conservation methods proved so successful, so much so that populations of both white and black rhino numbers
were increasing to such an extent, that eventually these animals were being captured alive and relocated to stock existing
Government Reserves and National Parks within South Africa.
The capture of rhino and moving them to other areas became so popular amongst conservationists, that rhino were now made
available to private land owners and game reserves to purchase and create their own breeding populations.
Dr. Players foresight of the plight of the rhino in South Africa was the catalyst that brought the rhino back from extinction.
The 70's and 80s were golden eras for rhino survival in South Africa as sound conservation practices and a genuine interest in rhino
conservation ensured that numbers increased.
Rhino populations in SA at the time - Southern White Rhino - approximately 25 000, Black Rhino approximately 5500.
Ian Player authored numerous books on his involvement with Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve, and his many experiences with
regards to rhino conservation and capture. He was also the founder of the Wilderness Foundation, and dedicated his life to
conservation, and saving the rhino.
RHINO STATISTICS
Approximately 500 000 rhino in the wild across Africa and Asia at the turn of the 20th century.
By 1970 a mere 70 000 throughout Africa and Asia
2014 - 80 % of the world’s wild rhino are to be found in South Africa.
South Africa's present rhino population stands at - Southern White Rhino 20 400 - Black Rhino 5055.
Approximate birth rate @ 6 % per annum - White Rhino 1224 - Black Rhino 303
2014 total approximate annual birth rate of both species - 1215 - compared to number poached 1215.
Approximate number of possible births for 2014 = 312 (1527 less 1215) out of a population of 25 460 animals!
South Africa's Rhino Poaching Sta s cs
1600
PROJECTED
1490
1400
1215
1200
1004
1000
800
668
600
as at 6 May 2015
400
333
200
83
122
13
0
2007
2008
2009
2010
2011
www.oscap.co.za
550
448
2012
2013
2014
2015
TOTALS & AVERAGES FOR 5 YEAR PERIOD - 2010 TO 2014
Total Rhinos poached = 3668
Average per year = 733.6
Average per month = 61.1
Average per day = 2.01
RHINO POACHING STATISTICE FOR KWAZULU NATAL
KwaZulu Natal’s Rhino Poaching Sta s cs
90
85
84
2013
2014
80
70
66
60
50
40
38
34
30
20
10
0
2010
2011
2012
TOTALS & AVERAGES FOR 5 YEAR PERIOD - 2010 TO 2014
Total Rhinos poached = 307
Average per year = 61.4
Average per month = 5.12
RHINO POACHING ARRESTS IN SOUTH AFRICA
1,374 Arrests have been made country wide since 2010 that were related to rhino poaching.
South Africa's Rhino Poaching Arrests
400
367
343
350
300
267
250
232
200
165
150
100
50
0
2010
2011
2012
2013
TOTALS & AVERAGES FOR 5 YEAR PERIOD - 2010 TO 2014
Total poachers arrested = 1,374
Average arrests per year = 274.8
Average arrests per month = 22.9
2014
ZULU NYALA GAME RESERVE - RHINO POPULATION (SOUTHERN WHITE RHINO)
1 x male - 9 years old.
1 x male - 5 years old
1 x male - 4 years old
1 x female - 6 years old
1 x female - 3 years old
1 x female - 35 years old with 2 year old female calf (presently confirmed pregnant)
1 x female - 25 years old with 1 year old female calf
1 x female - 20 years old with 6 month old female calf
Total males = 3
Total females = 8 (including three calves)
WHAT IS ZULU NYALA DOING TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THEIR RHINO?
Reserve is completely fenced in with 15 kilometres of 10 foot high game proof fence.
3 strands of electrically charged wire is fitted on the internal perimeter of the fence - carrying a minimum of 5000 (low amperage)
volts per strand.
Fence lines are checked and patrolled at random, several times per day and night, by security and anti-poaching personal, on foot,
by motorcycle, motor vehicle and bicycle.
Look out towers are erected at strategic points on the reserve, and are manned at random times for observation and info gathering
exercises.
24 hour security at main entrance gate. Manned by experienced and trained security guards.
Resident armed and experienced Security Manager is on the Reserve 24/7, 365 days of the year to assist with any problems.
Specialised armed Anti-Poaching staff are resident on the reserve - their job is to monitor the rhino movements and keep track of the
rhino.
16 qualified and experienced Field Guide/Game Rangers are employed by the company to carry out Eco Tourism duties, and to
assist with anti-poaching and monitor rhino movements.
All Field Guides/ Rangers, Security and Anti-Poaching staff are in 24 hour contact with each other and management via 2 way
radio and cell phone.
A specialised and highly efficient and experienced Anti-Poaching Air Wing is based at Hluhluwe Airstrip - just 5 minutes flying time
from the Reserve.
Ground to Air radio communication with ZAP Wing aircraft while flying patrols over the reserve and surrounding areas.
Zululand Anti-Poaching (ZAPWING) unit has 2 fixed wing aircraft and a helicopter with qualified pilots at hand 24/7 for any
emergency and can be airborne within minutes.
All staff that work on the reserve must report sightings of rhino immediately, to Reserve Management on a daily basis.
6 of the rhino are fitted with identity microchips (3 per rhino), the chips are inserted into the rhino's front and back horn as well as in
the neck/shoulder region.
We are in the process of fitting the balance of microchips and transponders (for telemetry tracking).
All 11 rhino are insured for full replacement value with Lloyds of London (in association with our local insurance company SATIB).
Zulu Nyala is linked on a grid with our neighbouring reserves, and we are in constant contact with each other with regards to
poaching incidents in the area.
All reserves linked on the grid have regular meetings and share relevant anti-poaching information.
Alpha Security is the contracted company for general security on the reserve.
Nyathi APU is the specialised anti-poaching unit contracted by the company to carry out all anti-poaching, surveillance and follow
up operations on the reserve and surrounding areas.
WHAT IS ZULU NYALA'S GOAL WITH REGARDS TO FUTURE RHINO CONSERVATION?
To increase the population on the reserve by ensuring a safe and secure environment, with a suitable habitat for rhino to go about
their lives in a natural way without fear of persecution
To achieve this, we have the following experienced management staff on the reserve to carry out these various projects.
Ecologist to monitor and eradicate alien plant invasion, as well as to plan rotational burning projects to create more suitable
habitats to support a variety of species and natural plant life.
Reserve Manager - for the general up keep of dams, waterholes, fences and roads.
Conservation Manager for the general running of the reserve related to Eco Tourism, Wildlife projects and anti-poaching.
Our main aim on the reserve is to ensure that the habitat is suitable to support a variety of species, by doing this we also create a
sound base for the better long term survival and protection of both black and white rhino.
ZULU NYALA’S RHINO CONSERVATION & SURVIVAL PROGRAMME.
Our long term goal is to maintain the rhino population at a manageable level and to sell the offspring to help stock other reserves that
have lost rhino to poaching. The funds earned from the sale of excess rhino will be put back into other rhino conservation programmes
on the reserve.
Rhino conservation, and saving the rhino from extinction was pioneered in Zululand (by Dr. Ian Player's Operation Rhino Programme)
so we have a strong historical connection to the cause, in this part of South Africa, and we at Zulu Nyala believe that all of us have a
moral obligation and responsibility to continue with this cause, no matter how difficult the circumstances!
We have no idea what the future holds for the rhino, they may unfortunately reach the brink of extinction again soon.
Rhino have been hunted and poached illegally since man first discovered the species, however the natural birth rates have somehow
always managed to keep the numbers at an acceptable level. The other major factor that will have an impact and future survival of the
species is human encroachment into wildlife areas. As Africa's population increases so more land will be required to grow food to feed
the masses - therefore man and wildlife will once again come into conflict, and sadly it will always be the wildlife and their habitats that
will suffer!
Zulu Nyala have also unfortunately lost 4 of its original population to poachers over the past couple of years. This was a sad loss for us.
We could have thrown the towel in and sold off our remaining rhino to alleviate the high risk that we had to carry.
However Trevor Shaw's goal for Zulu Nyala is to be proactive in the face of the rhino poachers’ adversity - to not give in to them, but to
fight it with everything we have, and all the resources we can muster!
He went out and purchased four more rhino, to replace those that we lost, beefed up security on the reserve and got Lloyds of London to
insure the existing population at a major expense, and is doing everything he can to ensure a SAFE HAVEN for this species.
A major risk is being taken here - especially in light of how the poaching of rhino has increased year after year!
Rhino horn fetches approximately U$75 000 per kilogram on the black market in China and the Far East. An adult rhino carries
approximately 5 kilos of horn, that equates to U$375 000 of horn value alone!
It costs us approximately U$50 000 to purchase a live rhino from other game reserves.
Right now a rhino is worth more dead than alive - We want to keep them alive for future generations to enjoy!
If the present trend of poaching continues then the scales will soon tip into the negative, where the poached animals will soon out strip
the births!
A major risk is being taken by the Shaw Family, as well as by the dedicated staff and management of The Zulu Nyala Group - if this is not
a brave stance, and a strong message of how serious we view rhino conservation, then I don't know what is!
Once there were islands of people, surrounded by wildlife now there are islands of wildlife surrounded by people!
We salute those who have dedicated their time, effort and resources to the cause.
Zulu Nyala is a member of the following associations that support rhino conservation.
Project Rhino KZN - http://www.projectrhinokzn.org/
Private Rhino Owners Association - http://www.rhinoowners.org/
Wildlife Ranchers Association of South Africa - http://www.wrsa.co.za/
Nyathi Anti Poaching Unit - http://www.nyathiapu.co.za/
Alpha Security - http://www.alpha-security.co.za/
Zululand Anti Poaching Wing - http://www.zapwing.org/
SATIB Wildlife Risk Management - http://www.wild.sure.com/
Report compiled by:
Mark DeWet - Conservation Manager.
Zulu Nyala Game Reserve.
Hluhluwe - KwaZulu Natal.
South Africa.
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP.
One often feels overwhelmed, and possibly a sense of helplessness, when these adverse situations present themselves, and there are
moments in life when we are called upon to try and make a difference. This is one way that Zulu Nyala is going to make that difference for
the future conservation and protection of rhino, who depend on us for their very survival!
So if you wish to become involved in rhino conservation in any form, please refer to the attached letter, which clearly states how to go
about making some form of contribution.
Zulu Nyala guarantees that 100 % of your contribution will go to rhino conservation, breeding and protection, and not one cent will go
towards admin costs.
HELP US TO STOP THIS MADNESS!!!
[email protected]
www.zulunyalagroup.com