Resolving an issue arising from translocation strategy for saving the black rhino

Abstract

 In response to thealarmingdecline in black rhino populationsconservationists developed a plan to grow the South African population to 2000 inthe shortest timepossible. This was to be achieved by removing animals from the high-density population in the Umfolozi-Hluhluwe Game Reserve. These animals would be translocated to new reserves withmore abundantresources. This reduction in intra-specific competition would result in faster growth rates. The magnitude of proposed removals, however, did not take into consideration some important perspectives of the    managers of the source population.In this paper we attempt to provide insight into the trade-offs betweenthe needs and perspective of source managers and those of the proponents of maximum translocation.