Of all the five species of rhinos in the world, two species are found in Africa. The other three species are found in Asia. In Africa, the rhinos are distributed in various national parks and conservancies. Here we will look at the various national parks and conservancies in Africa where you will find these rhinos.
- Kenya
Lake Nakuru
Lake Nakuru National Park has a sanctuary which was founded in 1984 to be specifically for rhinos. Currently, it is the home to many black rhinos in Kenya. The sanctuary was started to protect rhinos which were endangered and being poached.
Apart from black rhinos, there are also white rhinos. Whereas it started with only two rhinos, right now there are about 100 white rhinos and 50 black rhinos. Every rhino there has a tracker so that it can be easy to monitor its whereabouts.
Ol pejeta Conservancy
Ol Pejeta has the highest number of black rhinos in the whole of East Africa. It is also home to the remaining two northern white rhinos in the world. These rhinos are given maximum security here. Cumulatively, Ol Pejeta has about 135 rhinos.
Unfortunately, there are male northern white rhinos that are only female. The last surviving male northern white rhino died in 2018 due to illness.
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, which is found in Meru, provides a haven for endangered animals such as the black rhino, grevy’s zebra and sitatungas.
Starting in 1983 with only 15 rhinos, the number has climbed to the current 169. Lewa has partnered with Borana Conservancy and joined their land to create more space for the rhinos.
Sheldrick Wildlife Trust
- Tanzania
Ngorongoro Conservation Area
The Ngorongoro Conservation area is home to the eastern black rhino, an endangered subspecies of black rhino.
Currently, there are no white rhinos in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area with the last and oldest white rhino dying in December 2019. However, there have been plans to introduce white rhinos in the conservation area.
Mkomazi National Park
A rhino sanctuary was established to protect the endangered black rhino. Mkomazi sanctuary is also a breeding place for the rhinos to prevent their extinction. Security is beefed up in the sanctuary to protect the rhinos. Currently, the number of black rhinos in the sanctuary stands at over 35.
- South Africa
Kruger National Park
The number of rhinos in Kruger National Park has sharply declined over the past few years due to poaching. Poaching remains to be a major challenge in the conservation of rhinos in the park. The number of rhinos now stands at less than 4000 with 3549 white rhinos and 268 black rhinos.
Efforts are being made to conserve the remaining black rhinos whose numbers are declining. In the previous years, the black rhino had become extinct until it was later on reintroduced.
Pilanesberg National Park
Pilanesberg National Park has both the white rhino and the black rhino. To ensure the security of the rhinos the anti-poaching unit thoroughly checks everyone who is entering the park. They are also not allowed to give the exact number of rhinos in the park. Also to keep off poachers, a trimming policy has been introduced which follows a detailed procedure.
Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park
Just as in other parks in South Africa, this park also experiences the challenge of poaching which has been on the increase lately
As a measure to curb poaching, the rangers camp in the forests however dangerous it may be. They are normally wearing bulletproof gear just in case they have an encounter with the poachers. Moreover, they also receive help from the Africa Wildlife Foundation in their activities. Currently, there are about 1000 rhinos in the park which are being protected.
- Namibia
Etosha National Park
Etosha National Park has the Southern white rhino and the southwestern black rhino. Unlike South Africa’s national parks, Etosha National Park experiences fewer cases of poaching incidents. However, with the recent poaching incidents security has increased in Etosha park to protect the rhinos which are most wanted for the horns. There are about 260 black rhinos in the park.
- Zambia
North Luangwa National Park
This is the only country which has black rhinos in the whole of Zambia. There are no white rhinos in the national park. The park has a population of 27 remaining black rhinos. This can be attributed to the increased poaching.
This has led to the initiation of the North Luangwa Conservation Programme which aims at protecting the remaining black rhinos. It has been able to buy a patrol vehicle for the park, install electric fences and also provide medical services to the ailing rhinos.
- Zimbabwe
Matusadona National Park
The number of rhinos in the Matusadona National Park has greatly declined over the years. This is not due to poaching like in other countries but it has been a result of inadequate financial resources and also poor management of those put in charge of the park.
Despite the challenges the park is facing, the Zimbabwe Parks and wildlife authority is making effort to reinstate the rhino sanctuary.
Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park
The history of rhinos in the Park began with the relocation of four white rhinos from South Africa to the park. The era of rhinos in the park had long become extinct due to poaching.
However with the reintroduction of the four white rhinos it provided hope for the park. The number of rhinos now stands at more than 10 as a result of breeding. These rhinos are given maximum security by the wardens here.