 |
 |
Last chance for world’s rarest rhino as 4 are released into the wild17/12/2009 23:28:41
Sudan, one of the rhinos to be translocated from Dvur Kralove Zoo to Kenya. Credit Rebecca Foges/FFI How many northern white rhinos are left? Northern white rhinos are probably extinct in the wild. There were eight individuals left in captivity, in the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park and the Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic. Three are males and five are females. Only four are able to reproduce. Where and when were they last seen? The last four wild individuals were seen in Garamba National Park, DRC, in August 2005 and signs of their existence were still seen in 2007. Subsequent surveys in June 2008 failed to locate them; there was an isolated and unconfirmed report of three white rhinos in southern Sudan in 2008. Which individuals will be sent to Africa and how were they chosen? Two males and two females will be relocated to Africa. The process of selection was driven by a single criterion: their likelihood of normal breeding. This applies to the wild-caught male Sudan, who is still a very active and healthy animal. Of the four captive-born rhinos, the male Suni (born 1980) is a potential breeder; this animal has repeatedly mated several females and his sperm is of excellent quality. Sperm was collected from Suni and frozen for future use. The two remaining females are Najin and Fatu. Born in 1989, Najin is Suni's half-sister and gave birth to a calf in 2000. Although she was subsequently mated but failed to become pregnant, examination of her reproductive organs revealed good breeding and reproductive health of this animal. Najin's young daughter, Fatu (born 2000) is a healthy female as well, which has been confirmed by examining her reproductive organs, and has her whole breeding life ahead of her. Are there any issues with starting up a population from just four individuals? With careful conservation management, small rhino populations are able to reproduce at over 10% per annum, and recover from very small to large healthy populations. This was achieved with the southern white rhino in Africa, where number recovered from less then 50 animals to the current total of over 18,000 animals. There are inbreeding issues with such small numbers (e.g. < 4), particularly if any of the animals are related. For this reason, the conservation strategy for the translocated northern white rhino in Kenya will include intercrossing with southern white rhinos at Ol Pejeta, in order to maximise breeding opportunities and propagation of the northern gene pool within the white rhino population.
World’s rarest rhinos travel back to Africa December 2009. Four of the world’s last known remaining eight northern white rhinos will be relocated from captivity back to the wild on Sunday 20th December 2009, thanks to the collaborative efforts of a consortium of conservation organisations. ”Northern white rhinos are the world’s rarest large mammal” said Dr Rob Brett, Africa Regional Director, Fauna & Flora International and member of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist group. The rhinos will moved from Dvůr Králové Zoo in the Czech Republic to the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia, northern Kenya, as part of what is being called the 'Last Chance to Survive' project. ”They are listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and are thought to be extinct in the wild. Moving them now is a last bid effort to save them and their gene pool from total extinction. The Ol Pejeta Conservancy is immensely proud to have received the endorsement of the IUCN African Rhino Specialist Group in hosting these animals, giving them a chance to breed at the 11th hour,” said Richard Vigne, Chief Executive Officer, Ol Pejeta Conservancy. ”If we are successful, the preservation of their unique locally adapted genetic traits may allow their natural range to be re-stocked in the coming years.” Mr Vigne added. Natural habitat will increase breeding success - None born in captivity for 9 years Conservationists believe that by providing the four rhinos with a natural habitat and secure African setting, they will significantly increase their chances of breeding successfully. To date, captive breeding of northern white rhino in zoos has had limited success, with breeding only occurring at Dvůr Králové Zoo. The last calf was born in 2000. However the population is now so small, that they will probably be bred with the Southern white rhino that already live at Ol Pejeta. Although this will dilute their gene pool, it is probably the only way to save their genes from dieing out completely Aim to establish a viable breeding group The long-term aim of the translocation is to establish a viable breeding group of locally adapted white rhinos for reintroduction back into secure areas of their original range in eastern Africa. The time frame of such a reintroduction could well be in the region of twenty years or more. Last chance “Together with our partners, we plan to give the remaining individuals with breeding potential their last chance of normal and regular reproduction in a secure location in the wild,” said Dana Holečková, Director of Dvůr Králové Zoo. The reintroduction initiative is being carried out by a partnership of conservation organisations, including Fauna & Flora International, the Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Dvůr Králové Zoo, the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Back to Africa, and the Kenya Wildlife Service. The rhinos were accompanied by experts, including their keeper Jan Zdarek and veterinarian Dr Jiri Vahala, from Dvůr Králové Zoo, rhino veterinarian Dr Pete Morkel, an expert veterinarian dedicated to rhino translocation, and ‘rhino whisperer’ Berry White. The rhinos were translocated by road from Dvůr Králové to Prague airport, from where they were flown to Nairobi and driven out to Ol Pejeta Conservancy.
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
Comment on the location and tell us what you saw there