Rhino Numbers and Census

Information & discussion on the Rhino Poaching Pandemic
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Toko
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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

Post by Toko »

More speculation that rhino have been sold to Alexander Steyn - check this thread on page 19 about him.

Wildtuin-uitverkoping! Bewerings oor ‘geblikte’ jag teen boer wat renosters koop

Deur Pearlie Joubert Sondag 28 Junie 2015 05:00


As deel van ’n strategie om renosters “vir hul eie veiligheid” uit die Krugerwildtuin te skuif gaan SANParke voort om die diere te verkoop aan minstens een wildboer wie se rekord in bewaringskringe al in twyfel getrek is.

Rapport het betroubaar verneem SANParke het verlede maand 120 renosters teen ’n “massiewe afslag” van R220 000 per dier aan Alexander Steyn verkoop.

Dit is byna die helfte minder as die R400 000 elk waarvoor renosters verlede jaar verkoop is.

SANParke was al voorheen in die spervuur nadat hy renosters aan Steyn verkoop het.

Sy naam word onder meer genoem in Julian Rademeyer se boek Killing for Profit as ’n organiseerder van renosterjagtogte vir Viëtnamese.

Dawie Groenewald, ’n wildboer van Musina wat saam met verskeie ander mense teregstaan op 1 736 aanklagte van onder meer onwettige jag, handel in renosterhoring en geldwassery, beweer ook dit was Steyn wat hom bekend gestel het aan die Viëtnamese “agent”.

Die agent het daarna Viëtnamese vroue sonder enige jagondervinding gestuur om trofee-renosters op sy plaas te kom skiet. Steyn was ook sowat tien jaar gelede in die nuus oor geblikte jagluiperd-jagtogte.

Destyds het hy gesê: “Wat is geblikte jag? Geblikte jag vind plaas in ’n omheinde gebied . . . Die hele Afrika is omhein. Die hele Afrika is geblik.”

Ondanks die feit dat die openbare beskermer verlede jaar gevra is om die verkoop van 260 renosters aan drie jagplase, insluitend Steyn se Steyn Safaris, te ondersoek, het SANParke wéér verlede maand renosters aan Steyn verkoop.

Die verkoop van renosters aan private wildplase volg op ’n SANParke-raadsbesluit van Oktober 2013 wat die bewaringsorganisasie magtig om renosters uit die Krugerwildtuin te verkoop “vir hul eie veiligheid en as deel van ’n omvattende renoster-bestuurstrategie”.

SANParke se hoof van kommunikasie, Paul Daphne, het bevestig dat die Krugerwildtuin 200 witrenosters aan ’n “paar private kopers verkoop het om die ontwikkeling van lewensvatbare witrenosterbevolkings op private eiendom in Suid-Afrika te bevorder”.

Daphne sê die evaluasiekomitee het die “beste-prys-beginsel” toegepas met die veiling wat op 14 Mei plaasgevind het.

“Die hoofoorweging in die keuse van die suksesvolle bieërs in hierdie proses is die veiligheid en die lewensvatbaarheid van renosterbevolkings in die gebiede waarheen hulle verskuif sal word.”

Hy het egter geweier om te sê wie die kopers is (insluitend Steyn) of na watter plase die diere verskuif sal word “om die diere te beskerm teen stropers”.


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Basically SP sold 200 rhino last month, including 120 to Alex Steyn, who has been implicated in illegal hunting (The Vietnamese Prostitutes story).

Prices drastically down to R220 000 per animal vs normal R400 000. Daphne says sales were according to the "best price" principle at the May auction, and it is in the interests of the rhinos' own safety.

He says the main consideration is the selection of bidders who can ensure a safe environment for the rhino.


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Now that is a quick R44 Million...but not a bad price...not sure where the R400 000 per animal comes from?


http://www.bdlive.co.za/national/scienc ... for-rhinos


Also, I don't think the rhino are all moved at once, basically caught and transported in batches. This wastes vets, staff and helicopter time.

The other thing is the question of whether SP pays for the transport to the buyer. Very expensive indeed, requiring more vet time, and hopefully not part of the price!


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Both Alexander and his brother, Marius Steyn, slammed their phones down when Lowvelder approached them for comment.

Rhino translocation from Kruger to private reserves was instituted in October 2013 to establish breeding colonies in other areas. Daphne added: “We are only moving rhino to Africa range states and to private rhino farmers. We had representation from the Department of Treasury on the tender committee, as well as various other economic experts that investigated the destination of the planned relocation and the price per head. The idea is definitely not to sell them to hunters per se.”

Daphne also added: “Although the tendering process has been concluded and the sale approved, no rhino has been relocated as yet. It was decided last year that more than 200 rhino will be relocated from KNP to other venues.”


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

Post by Lisbeth »

A lot of black rhinos being sold and the "Steyn" business sounds very disturbing. The whole relocation business sounds disturbing O-/


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Agreed Lis! 0*\


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Media Release: Science paper out on Kruger rhino survey results for 2013

Date: 2015-07-03

SANParks’ survey techniques to count rhinos in Kruger National Park have received a stamp of approval for the second time from the scientific community.

SANParks published a peer-reviewed scientific paper on 29 June 2015 in Public Library of Science ONE, a scientific journal with an impact factor of 3.53, on the Kruger rhino survey results of 2013.

Counting exactly how many rhinos are in the Kruger is difficult. The paper outlines the methodology used in determining a range of values for the rhino population within which the real population size would be, given that it is not feasible to count each and every animal within the Park. The 2013 survey gave an estimate of 8 400 to 9 600 white rhino in the Kruger National Park. The paper shows how SANParks use a sample-based survey technique that places 3x3 km blocks randomly across the Kruger landscape. An intensive search for rhinos in these blocks using helicopters allows SANParks to collect data and then use standardised statistical techniques to obtain the estimated size of a rhino population.

The robust scientific review processes that the formal science publishing environment requires, gives credibility to SANParks survey techniques that allow estimation of population sizes.

The paper on the 2013 survey also highlights important dynamics of rhino populations in Kruger National Park.

The density of rhinos as well as rainfall influences birth and death rates. Dry years are followed by increased death rates, while high densities of rhinos at a specific place may lead to low birth rates in that area. SANParks can use this information to offset poaching effects. For instance, removal of rhinos from areas where rhinos live in high densities can increase birth rates in those areas. This is particularly important given that the paper shows that average birth rates were the same as the average combination of natural and poaching death rates.

The robustness of SANParks survey techniques gives credibility to the survey results for 2014 which used the same approaches as described in the paper on the 2013 survey. The 2014 survey revealed that between 8000 and 9290 white rhinos were present in the Kruger National Park during 2014. The 2014 survey is also currently in the process of being written up and peer reviewed towards being published in a reputable scientific journal.

Issued by:
SANParks Corporate Communications

Enquiries:
Dr Sam Ferreira
Large Mammal Ecologist, Kruger National Park
Cell: 076 600 4152; Tel 013 735 4237

Paul Daphne
Head of Communications, SANParks
Cell:082 806 5409


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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I wonder when the 2014 survey will be peer reviewed and published in a scientific paper -O- -O-


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Re: Rhino Census and Rhino Relocations

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Here the link to the article:
Disruption of Rhino Demography by Poachers May Lead to Population Declines in Kruger National Park, South Africa
Sam M. Ferreira , Cathy Greaver, Grant A. Knight, Mike H. Knight, Izak P. J. Smit, Danie Pienaar
Published: June 29, 2015

Abstract

The onslaught on the World’s rhinoceroses continues despite numerous initiatives aimed at curbing it. When losses due to poaching exceed birth rates, declining rhino populations result. We used previously published estimates and growth rates for black rhinos (2008) and white rhinos (2010) together with known poaching trends at the time to predict population sizes and poaching rates in Kruger National Park, South Africa for 2013. Kruger is a stronghold for the south-eastern black rhino and southern white rhino. Counting rhinos on 878 blocks 3x3 km in size using helicopters, estimating availability bias and collating observer and detectability biases allowed estimates using the Jolly’s estimator. The exponential escalation in number of rhinos poached per day appears to have slowed. The black rhino estimate of 414 individuals (95% confidence interval: 343-487) was lower than the predicted 835 individuals (95% CI: 754-956). The white rhino estimate of 8,968 individuals (95% CI: 8,394-9,564) overlapped with the predicted 9,417 individuals (95% CI: 7,698-11,183). Density- and rainfall-dependent responses in birth- and death rates of white rhinos provide opportunities to offset anticipated poaching effects through removals of rhinos from high density areas to increase birth and survival rates. Biological management of rhinos, however, need complimentary management of the poaching threat as present poaching trends predict detectable declines in white rhino abundances by 2018. Strategic responses such as anti-poaching that protect supply from illegal harvesting, reducing demand, and increasing supply commonly require crime network disruption as a first step complimented by providing options for alternative economies in areas abutting protected areas.


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