(Text by Bradley Dennis and photos by Jody Bloomer)

 Doom and gloom usually make up the news headlines, but it is so nice to hear a ‘feel-good’ story every now and then! One such is news of the birth of a female white rhino in a breeding program which is part of the ongoing fight against the extinction of the rhino. Each rhino birth is exciting as the numbers of these icons of the African bush are under huge threat.

The baby was born in July on Samara Private Game Reserve, located in the Great Karoo region of South Africa. Samara is one of the many game reserves which participate in the conservation and protection of rhinos. She is a healthy and energetic little animal who enjoys spending her time playing in the veld, suckling her patient mother, Moyo, and ever-so-often collapsing exhausted into a heap for a well-deserved nap.

Close to extinction

According to Save the Rhino there were approximately one million rhinos at the turn of the 19th century. In 1970, there were around 70 000 and today there are only around 28 000 rhinos surviving in the wild. The Southern white rhino was once on the brink of extinction with only around 50 individuals left in the wild! Currently 75% of the world’s rhinos live in South Africa and it is estimated that there are around 16,800 White rhino adults and 6,487 Black rhinos remaining in the wild, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Threats to rhinos include the loss of habitat, population fragmentation, civil unrest and poaching for their horn, which is believed by some to have medicinal benefit. In some cultures rhino horn has also become a symbol of status and wealth; the per kilo black market value being greater than that of gold, diamond or cocaine. Poaching of rhino peaked in 2014 with 1 215 rhino being killed in one single year and this horrendous activity has claimed 25% of South Africa’s rhino population since 2007.

However, thanks to desperate measures in conservation circles, statistics show that poaching has slowed in recent years. A drop in this rate in the Kruger National Park is certainly cause for celebration and indicates that measures to reduce poaching are gaining traction there. However, certain experts worry that this has been offset by increases in the Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal, as well as other parts of Africa.

One of the primary reasons for South Africa’s success in conservation has been the strong alliance between private and public sector players. Some 20-25% of rhino populations in South Africa are now privately owned, a much larger margin than in the past.

The private management of this endangered animal allows for more focused care and security. The greater funds available at these private reserves help to further accommodate species conservation and safe-keeping. South African citizens and private owners are developing innovative strategies to deter poachers, which includes dehorning and introducing dye or even poison into rhino horns.

Quick facts

• Rhinos usually only breed once every three years, and a pregnancy lasts around 18 months.
• There are five rhinoceros species in the world of which the White Rhino (Ceratotherium simum) and the Black Rhino (Diceros Bicornis) are found on the African continent.
• The White rhino is the second largest land mammal in Africa after the African Elephant. It can weigh between 1800kg and 3000kg and stand at around 1.5m – 1.8m high. The White rhino can live up to 50 years into the wild.
• South Africa is viewed as the primary custodian of Africa’s rhinos. With its approximately 93% and 40% respectively of total White and Black rhino populations.

How to get involved

• You can get involved by helping to create awareness of the threat to rhinos by sharing this post, and others like it, on social media.
• Show an interest in conservation and inspire others to do the same.
• There are many volunteer programmes, if you want to get hands-on. Speak to your closest game reserve or park.

Today we are still very lucky to be able to see rhino in the wild. We can all contribute to prevent what would be a sad day when we can only show photos of an extinct species to our children.