Wildlife Conservation Namibia Project #40135

Protecting Rhinos

by David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation

Project Report | Jan 14, 2022
Protecting Rhinos - January Update

By Jo B | Supporter Care & Database Executive

Image Credit: Save The Rhino Trust

Thank you for supporting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation through GlobalGiving.

Over the past six months, our ground-based conservation partners have continued to work around the clock to prevent rhino-poaching in Namibia and to protect one the world’s last remaining desert-adapted black rhino populations.

With the support of DSWF, the anti-poaching and monitoring teams operating in the Kunene and Erongo regions have logged a huge 38,155 km of vehicle and foot patrols over the past six-months. Their presence acts as a key deterrent to ‘would be poachers’ in the area.

The last rhino poaching incident in the region was in August 2020 meaning that almost 18 months have now passed without an incident. This is a significant decline in comparison to the 2014-2016 period where 30 animals were lost to poachers. These statistics highlight the direct impact of DSWF funding which is allowing the stable growth of the black rhino population nationally across Namibia.

In Asia our, our ground-based conservation partners are working to secure the future of the one horned rhino in Assam. During the past 6 months, DSWF have continued to support two K9 units in Assam which provide critical support to law enforcement efforts.

Babli (the dog) and Goura (the handler) have been operating in the Orang National Park which covers 78km² of prime rhino habitat. Babli has given some vital clues to forest officials on stolen camera traps alongside two illegal killings of wild boar.
Jubi (the dog) and Sanatan Mali (the handler) have been stationed in the Baguri Range of Kaziranga.

Combined, the two dog units have patrolled a total of 540km of prime rhino habitat. Alongside the K9 units, DSWF have supported field agents to continue their visits to field sites in order to gather information and monitor the movement of suspects involved in wildlife crime. Nine reports have been shared with enforcement agencies leading to eight arrests of individuals involved in wildlife crime.

DSWF have also continued our long-term support of an education and youth engagement programme which promotes coexistence between humans and rhinos. During the reporting period, 13 workshops were held reaching over 380 children.

The Bigger Picture

Over the past 12 months, DSWF have continued our 37-year legacy of providing unwavering support to protect some of the world’s most endangered species. Over the course of 2022 we will continue to support our long-term conservation partners to protect wildlife, tackle wildlife crime and reduce poaching threats alongside engaging and supporting more community groups working to protect wildlife.

Thanks to your help, we have granted over £11 million in direct conservation support to turn the tide on extinction.

On behalf of everyone at DSWF and the wildlife we fight to protect, Thank You.

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Sep 13, 2021
Your September Rhino Update!

By Jo B | Supporter Care & Database Executive

Thank you for supporting David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) through GlobalGiving. As well as providing you with your bi-annual rhino project report, we would also like to inform you about an exciting new campaign to make your support go further.

This week, GlobalGiving are hosting their annual Little by Little campaign, this means that all your donations donated through GlobalGiving to David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation from Monday 13th to Friday 17^th September will receive 50% match funding from GlobalGiving. So, if you donate £20 to Rhinos today, we will receive £30 in total!

For this campaign, DSWF are seeking your generous support to help protect Namibia’s desert-adapted black rhino population. This is a vital conservation project which has seen some wonderful results in the past year. However, rhino populations are still on the decline with less than 30,000 remaining in the wild across five species and it is vital we continue our work to protect them.

Between 2018 and 2020, our ground-based conservation partners recorded almost 30 months free of rhino killings in the Kunene and Erongo regions of Namibia. An outstanding achievement. Unfortunately, four rhinos have been killed recently largely attributed to the collapse of tourism and livelihoods due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As such, DSWF funding has been directed towards enhancing anti-poaching patrol efforts and increasing team field days and foot patrols to prevent further killings. Our funding last year supported just under 35,000km of ranger patrols and led to 27 arrests including all the individuals involved in the recent poaching incidents as well as the buyer.

DSWF has also continued to fund an ongoing rhino monitoring assessment. Recent reports show a ground-breaking record of more than 4,000 individual rhino sightings over a 12-month period. This data collection is developing further understanding of rhinos in Namibia and are helping to inform and improve conservation strategies to better protect this iconic species.

In India, we have continued to support our ground-based conservation partners in and around the rhino-bearing areas of Assam. DSWF have provided essential field gear to 254 Village Defence Patrol Members. These defence patrols help to deter poachers entering national parks and contributed towards another whole year of zero rhino poaching incidents in three of Assam’s four rhino bearing areas. In addition, DSWF supported three workshops with border security and legal professionals contributing to the arrest of 37 suspects who engaged in wildlife crime and the seizure of 18 weapons.

We are hugely grateful for your support in helping us turn the tide on extinction. Thank you.

Terms and Conditions of Campaign:

Donations up to the amount of $50 / £36 will be match funded by 50%.
Only one donation per unique donor will be match funded.
Campaign runs from Monday 13^th to Friday 17^th September.

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May 21, 2021
Protecting Rhinos - May 2021 Update

By Jo Briffitt | Supporter Care & Database Executive

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