In a first count, the Kruger National Park counted 55 black rhino, using the stratified block counting technique. Using computer software, scientists in the park divided the the southern section of the park into 120, 3km x 3km counting blocks. Rhino specialists Raoul du Toit and Charles Mackey brought their Piper Super Cub and Christen Husky light aircraft from Zimbabwe and worked together with Tshokwane section ranger Steven Whitfield in the Sanparks Bantam ultralight aircraft to do the survey.
A founder population of 90 animals was introduced in the park between the 1970’s and 1990 as part of a donation from the then Natal Parks Board.
“Black rhino are hard to spot in the thickets, as they are often just standing still in between the dense bushes and they don’t often stand in the open,” said Judith Kruger from Sanparks Scientific Services savanna unit in Skukuza, who is leading this project..
So far the team has spotted 55 black rhino in the 120 blocks they surveyed and over 600 white rhinos.
“We are hoping to continue with a second count in October 2008 and, funds permitting, we would like to fly the survey again every two to three years” said Judith.
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