Conservation Update

Rhino Numbers on the increase

The IUCN Species Survival Commission's African Rhino Specialist Group recently announced that black and white rhino numbers have continued to increase.

Due to intensive conservation methods that have been implemented by several African Countries, the number of black rhino has increased from 2,704 in 1999 to 3,100 today. Similarly the number of white rhino has risen from an estimated 10,405 in 1999 to around 11,670 in 2001.

Although the news of population increase is very exciting, much greater increase in numbers are needed to ensure long-term viability. There are also those range states that still have critically low numbers. These include the Cameroon and the Democratic Republic of the Congo whose rhino populations remain under serious threat.

Ugandan Wildlife Exports suspended

You may remember that in the last edition of Conservation News (Spring 2002) we reported that the Ugandan Wildlife Authority (UWA) had authorised the live export for a quota of a quarter of a million animals from Uganda. Following an announcement from President Museveni calling for an immediate ban, the UWA has now completely suspended wildlife exports. The President stated that most tourists who come to Uganda are conservationist and wildlife lovers. If Uganda developed an international reputation for being hostile to wildlife, (which had already begun since the export permits had been announced) then those tourists would stop coming.