In Zimbabwe, the number of endangered rhinos killed by poachers has increased dramatically over the last few years. Since 2000, an estimated 72 black rhinos have been shot in the southeastern part of the country. Compare that figure to the years between 1993 and 2000, when not one black rhino was poached in the area. Why the sudden increase?

The culprit

Experts blame the poaching upsurge on the region’s declining economy. Jobs on commercial farms have become scarce, which has led to an environment conducive to poaching. To make matters worse, people have been allowed to settle in conservation zones, leading to a relaxation of anti-poaching controls.

What is being done?

Conservancy groups say they are working with Zimbabwe’s National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority to combat the poachers. Earlier this year, Raoul du Toit, an official at Zimbabwe’s Lowveld Rhinoceros Project, told ScienceDaily:

Through the Lowveld Rhino Project we intensified monitoring of rhinos using skilled trackers and radiotelemetry. We moved rhinos from unsafe areas, dehorned some of the most at risk rhinos and collaborated in setting up rapid reaction units, community awareness programmes and gave technical support to develop options for wildlife-based land reform.

Effective conservation efforts

The efforts of groups like the Lowveld Rhino Project have allowed the rhino population to swell, despite the increased poaching. The Lowveld Conservation itself boasts a 10% growth rate for rhino populations each year, making it one of the most successful programs in the world.

Learn more about rhinos

To learn more about rhinos, tune in to Nature’s “Rhinoceros,” premiering Sunday, May 18 at 8 pm on Thirteen. Join wildlife filmmaker Nigel Marven as he brings you face-to-face with the world’s five species of rhino, each struggling, with varying degrees of success, for their continued survival.