|
Project update
- December 2005
RECORD BREAKING
RHINO DOES IT AGAIN
 A
black rhino, called Shibula, who was reintroduced to the wilds
of South Africa from Lisbon zoo in 1990, has just given birth
to her 6th calf.
Shibula was born in the wild in Namibia
in 1984 then captured and shipped to Lisbon zoo at the age of
five. She was returned to the wild by DSWF, and became the first
reintroduced black rhino ever to mate with a wild bull, producing
her first calf, Dundi, in 1994. Her latest calf is yet to be sexed
or named but marks a major milestone in black rhino conservation
in South Africa.
During the 1970s and 1980s 96% of Africa's
black rhinos were slaughtered by poachers for their horns. There
were estimated to be 65,000 in the wild in 1970 and by the lowest
point, in 1995, there were only 2,410 left.
DSWF has been working to save black rhinos
in their southern African stronghold since 1990. The project has
been so successful that there are approximately 3,600 black rhinos
in the wild today - more than two thirds of them in South Africa
and Namibia.
DSWF consultant Mark Carwardine - BBC radio
4 presenter, author, photographer and zoologist - has just returned
from South Africa where he went to investigate the current status
of South Africa's black rhinos.
"When a population of endangered
animals is on the verge of extinction every individual counts.
Many of Africa's black rhinos are known individually by rangers
and researchers and are protected around the clock. Shibula
is particularly close to everyone's heart and now we can't wait
for her to become a grandmother for the first time. With a little
luck, and continued care and attention it's only a matter of
time".
On hearing the news of Shibula's latest
calf, David Shepherd commented:
"Having first seen Shibula in
a boma on her return to Africa and watched her release into
the wild, I am thrilled that she has proved herself to be such
an ambassador for her species. As in so many conservation projects
the limiting factor is money - the more money we can raise for
our black rhino projects the greater the protection on the ground".
If you would like to help DSWF save the
black rhino please send your donations, marked 'Black Rhino Project'
(100% of which will go directly to the field) to DSWF, 61 Smithbrook
Kilns, Cranleigh, Surrey, GU6 8JJ or call 01483 272323 with your
credit card, or donate on line at www.davidshepherd.org.
·DSWF is a UK based charity saving
critically endangered mammals in the wild and benefiting local
people who share their environment.
·David Shepherd and DSWF have been
involved in endangered mammal conservation in the region since
1986, when David first visited the desert elephants at Kaokoveld.
Since then over £220,000 has been granted to Save the Rhino
Trust in Namibia.
·This project led to direct involvement
in rhino conservation in South Africa in 1990, when David's rhino
painting was used to raise money to return Shibula to the wild.
DSWF has since helped increase the size
of two of South Africa's National Parks by over 200%, latterly
the Mountain Zebra National Park and continues to support the
reintroduction, breeding and monitoring programme in the region.
Shibula's story is quite astonishing:
1984: born in the wild in Namibia
1989: captured and shipped to Lisbon Zoo
1990: rescued from Lisbon Zoo and released in the Augrabies Falls
National Park
1994: mated with wild bull and produced her first calf (Dundi
- female)
1996: second calf born (Swagger - male)
1999: moved from Augrabies Falls National Park to the Darlington
section of Addo Elephant National Park 'for security reasons'
1999: third calf born (Tria - female)
2001: fourth calf born (Kleinalec - male)
2003: fifth calf born (Noors - male)
2005: sixth calf born (yet to be sexed / named)
John Ingham
Environment Editor - Daily Express
article appeared in Daily Express 29th December 2005
Every little contribution helps wildlife
and remember 100% of your donation will go in full to the project - thank you!
You can also help by becoming a member
of DSWF. Click here for more information
top of page
|
