We received an invitation from the Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS) to attend a workshop on the conservation and management of black rhinos in the Ngorongoro Crater.
The workshop, partly funded by the African Wildlife Foundation, was held from 26th – 28th August 2003 to develop a conservation strategy for black rhinos in the Crater. We were asked to asses the impact of predation, especially by spotted hyaenas and lions, on the rhino population and to suggest management actions to reduce predation on rhino calves. Local wildlife managers and scientists suspected unnaturally high levels of predation on rhino calves, primarily by spotted hyaenas.
Comparative carnivore densities per 100 km2
|
Ngorongoro |
Etosha |
|
|---|---|---|
|
All large carnivores |
156 |
3.1 |
|
Spotted hyaenas |
140 |
1.6 |
We arrived at the Ngorongoro Crater on the 24th August and spent a day and a half flying and driving around the Crater. Although our visit was far too short for us to make a decent assessment of the problem, we made best use of the time by getting a feel for the topography and habitat. We looked at the prey populations and located a surprisingly large number of spotted hyaenas and lions.
With the brief field trip behind us we reviewed the available literature. Detailed studies conducted during the past thirty years provided us with a fair insight and understanding of the ecosystem. Nonetheless, the lack of field observations was telling and it made our task of presenting a reasonable and realistic assessment of predation on rhinos a daunting task.
With help and inspiration from Pete Morkel, the rhino coordinator for FZS, and burning some midnight oil, we presented our paper on the third day of the workshop.
Assessing the impact of predation on the Ngorongoro rhino population and making appropriate recommendations has been a difficult task due to a shortage of field observation and research results directed at the problem. However, we have made a daring attempt with the available knowledge.
On the last day of the workshop, Markus Borner, Head of Africa Department for FZS ferried us in his Cessna 182 across the Serengeti plains to the FZS base at Seronera. We were hosted by Simon Thirgood and Karen Laurenson who run FZS projects in the Serengeti and spent some lovely evenings sitting on their patio watching spotted hyaenas drinking at the waterhole nearby.
With a Land Rover at our disposal, we were able to drive across the plains keeping a sharp eye out for any predators. We were very excited to come across a group of lionesses lying in the long grass next to the road and couldn’t help but compare them to Namibian lions.
After an early morning drive, we caught our flight to Arusha and then back to Namibia and vowed that we would soon return to the marvel of the Serengeti.
Flip Stander
© Predator Conservation Trust.
