Thirtyyears ago, Zambia's Black Rhino was extinct. However, agroup of conservationists are working to re-introduce the Black Rhino in Zambia's game reserves. Four groups are behind the move: theZambia Wildlife Authority (ZAWA), the WildlifeConservation Society (WCS), Germany's Frankfurt Zoological Society and theWorldwide Fund for Nature (WWF).
James Phiri is the country coordinator of the WWF in Zambia. He says his groupis saddened by the previous failure of conservationists to keep rhinos in theparks. Poachers have killed almost 12,000 that were bought by the Zambia Wildlife Authority in 2003.
Phirisays the disappearance of Black Rhinos from Zambia's Game Management Areas hasresulted in the derailment of the country's eco-system and a drop in the numberof tourists in some parks, "As WWF weare supporting the re-stocking and sustenance of the Black Rhino. We areworking through our Harare (Zimbabwean capital) office to make sure that thepopulation of the Black Rhino is raised."
TheWildlife Conservation Society, based in New York City, is working to protectthe new rhino stocks. It's involved in a project designed to turn poachers intoconservationists.
Poacherscan sell rhino horns for up to 24,000 dollars in the Far East, where they areused in making traditional medicines such as fever reducing drugs andornamental handles for daggers.
RuthSimwanza is a programs officer at the Zambia office of the WildlifeConservation Society. Simwanza has been coordinating a project that encouragespoachers to disarm and conserve wildlife. The poachers who agree to disarm areoffered basic training.
Simwanzaexplains: "We initially worked with agroup of about 60 poachers. These poachers are required to voluntarilysurrender their guns and snares, which they once used for poaching. Once theyhave done that they are recruited into a training program which will take aboutsix to seven weeks. During [this time], they are [introduced to] a number ofactivities, including conservation farming, carpentry, tin smithing, vegetablefarming, bee keeping and fish farming."
TheWildlife Conservation Society has also initiated another program, calledCommunity Markets for Conservation (COMACO). This initiative helps reformedpoachers and other rural people look after wildlife while making an income. KalupyaZimba is one of the people that have benefited from the program.
"COMACOis working simply because it addresses rural poverty. What happens is that ahungry person would rather kill (poach) an impala (similar to the gazelle) tosell for food or money and they won't even care that I will go to prison whenthey are caught. But COMACO has very aggressive marketing techniques which helpus to sell our [new skills, like carpentry]."
TheBlack Rhinos to be re-introduced in Zambian wildlife estates will be importedfrom Kenya and from neighboring countries which would likely have similarrhino, like South Africa, Namibia, and Zimbabwe. The effort comes as a team ofAmerican scientists say their research has found that different subspecies ofthe Black Rhino are genetically similar and can be bred to produce strong andhardy animals.
WWFCountry Coordinator for Zambia James Phiri is urging Zambians to ensure theysafeguard the newly imported animals by teaching them, for example, theimportance of the rhino to tourism. Authorities will also be adding moreprotection for the rhino, placing some in areas protected with barbed wire orarmed guards.
TheConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES) has banned all international trade of rhino parts and products. It saysthere are less than 4,000 Black Rhinos in the wild today.