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Friends of Conservation
Kensington Charity Centre
Charles House
375 Kensington High St
London W14 8QH
Tel: 020 7603 5024
Email: focinfo@aol.com |
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The Selous Black Rhino Protection Project was set up to stop the black rhino from becoming extinct in the
Selous. The emphasis of the work in the Selous is to secure the existing fragmented rhino populations within the Game Reserve. This involves protecting the rhino that are left and establishing the number of black rhino in the reserve and developing a long term conservation and regeneration strategy.
The main concern is to secure these rhinos against the daily threat of poaching, which in the past, has resulted in a near (estimated 98%) population crash from an estimated 3,000 black rhinos in the 1970's to the remaining scattered individuals present today. Friedrich Alpers coordinates this project with the help of 12 trained rangers from the Tanzanian Wildlife Division, who track the rhino for periods of seven to fourteen days in teams of four to six. |
| In conjunction with this continuous patrol
programme, much needed scientific data collection and monitoring of these illusive Selous Rhinos is being undertaken, to help understand more about their behaviour and their region specific
ethology. A dedicated rhino ranger team currently operates in the Reserve. However, actual rhino sightings are infrequent partly due to the elusiveness of these rhino, the rough terrain and vastness of the region and the project is working to have more rangers on more frequent patrols covering bigger ranges. |
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| Donations will help increase the number and skills of the rangers and the purchase of essential equipment for them (such as purchasing tents to be used by the rangers in the wet season). |
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