For years, the call for worldwide animal conservation has rung long and loud. And for good reason, having been in Zambia for almost a month now, it is plain to see that there is so much natural beauty that needs protection. We should celebrate small victories in conservation and the story of the white rhino is becoming exactly one of those instances.

The rhinoceros reigns second after the majestic African elephant as the largest animal on the savannah and can live up to 50 years or more. Despite the name, white rhinos are actually far from the colour their name suggests. Its English name originated from the Afrikaans word “weit”, which means “wide”. The term was descriptive of the white rhino’s wide, square muzzle. This wide muzzle allows for better flat grassland grazing, the white rhino’s preferred choice of pasture.

The white rhinoceros is a nocturnal creature, preferring to rest under the shelter of thickets during the heat of day. Unlike the black rhinoceros, these square-lipped rhinos are more sociable and coexist in groups of as many as 12. Aside from a wide range of vocalisation between members, physical touch serves as a form of communication. For example, the white rhinos often rub against each other when friendly.

Population Decline

These amazing animals first came to the attention of European settlers in the early 1800s. In a short span of 75 years, the white rhino’s population declined under the colonial era as a result of uncontrolled hunting. By the 1900, hunting threatened these white rhinos with extinction. A surprise find of 20 white rhinos in the province of KwaZulu-Natal soon after, saw efforts to protect and reverse the damage done to these animals. After a century of protection, the white rhino population has grown in numbers. Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park holds the largest population of white rhino in the world.

Population growth

In 1964, the introduction of three white rhinos (one male and two females) to Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park bore great success. By 1981, the population grew to 13 but were all exterminated through poaching 8 years later. Undeterred by poaching, Zambia Wildlife Authority continued their conservation efforts. In 1994 they introduced a second subpopulation of two males and four females to the park. By 2008, this population was survived by one male, the rest being victims of poaching. The social nature of the white rhino prompted the authorities to provide the sole survivor with some company. Another male and three females now join him.

To date Mosi-Oa-Tunya National Park has celebrated the addition of four calves born between 2010 and 2012. A tragic accident occurred in 2010 when a mother killed a calf by sleeping on it. Otherwise, the park’s management watch over this population of eight (two males, three females, and three calves). An armed guard accompanied me on my visit to Mosi-Oa-Tunya and for good reason. Rhino horn continues to be a prized commodity, its value outweighs the risk of hunting these prized animals.

Conservation Efforts

Here in Zambia, efforts continue to protect the rhino. More anti-poaching patrols are being made by better equipped wildlife police. There are increasing technical and financial resources that support white rhino conservation work. Courts now acknowledge findings from forensic investigations as valid evidence in courts. This will strengthen prosecution cases. While the threat remains, so do the efforts to protect this magnificent animal.

In 2014, Zambia’s Minister of Tourism declared war on poaching and promised to take a firm stand against wildlife crime. He cited wildlife as a resource to improve the country’s economy. It would appear that the story of the white rhino is showing great potential to be one of Zambia’s successful conservation stories.

Author: Reehana Shihab

Editor: Tim Plowden