AfRSG
The African Rhino Specialist Group is one of the more than 140 Specialist Groups (SGs) of the IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (SSC). The largely volunteer – based network of experts across disciplines represents and works on behalf of the SSC to further rhino conservation in Africa. The AfRSG’s work covers all African rhino range States: Botswana, Chad, DR Congo, Eswatini, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia & Zimbabwe; & works with state, provincial, community, municipal & private sector rhino conservation programs.
AfRSG VISION:
Thriving wild African rhinos valued by people and contributing to their well-being.
Funding Opportunity
The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) in partnership with the African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) has an open funding opportunity for projects that involve direct rhino conservation interventions and professional support (such as range expansion, biological management and practical rhino conservation tools), or development of rhino conservation policies and plans (such as specific metapopulation plans and national rhino strategies), of the type that AfRSG would typically give technical advice on.
Grants will generally not exceed $15,000 and we accept proposals submitted to grants@rhinos.org on a rolling basis. Access the proposal template here.
MISSION:
The AfRSG guides and facilitates the conservation of viable African rhino populations across their natural range.
OBJECTIVES:
- To establish and enhance healthy and persistent rhino populations through advising and facilitating the efficient protection and dynamic biological management of African rhinos within their natural range
- To foster multiple values of rhinos for all peoples’ well-being through promoting sustainable conservation
- To facilitate research, collate information and report on the status of African rhinos to the IUCN and other parties
- To support targeted communication to a wide range of stakeholders
- To ensure effective leadership through the capacity building and mentorship of the next generation of rhino conservationists
- To promote sustainable finance and good governance for African rhino conservation
- To manage, monitor and evaluate the Group via effective, efficient, and transparent governance
MEMBERSHIP
The AfRSG Secretariat’s primary stakeholders are its 46 current Members. The AfRSG operates an ‘inclusive applied’ membership model designed to bridge the gap between species survival needs and the implementation of effective programs (the prerogative of Range State governments) and general sharing of information / lessons learned. The AfRSG’s Members include rhino experts, conservation practitioners (including official rhino Range States representatives), general specialists (such as economists, community specialists, geneticists, security experts, investigators, trade specialists, and private rhino owners) and representatives of key donor organizations, in order to provide the Group with the diversity of ideas and expertise necessary to meet the expanding challenges associated with the rhino poaching crisis, and providing a direct link between the development of strategies / plans and field programs.
IMPORTANT RHINO CONSERVATION DOCUMENTS PRODUCED BY THE AFRSG CAN BE DOWNLOADED BELOW.
STATUS, CONSERVATION AND TRADE
2023 African Rhino Special Group Chair Report
2022 African Rhino Specialist Group Chair Report
Rhino Facts and Figures: A stocktake on World Rhino Day 2022
AfSRG Chair Report Issue 60 (2019)
IUCN TRAFFIC Rhino Report for CoP18
IUCN TRAFFIC Rhino Report for CoP17 – Final Version
Joint Rhino Report for the Sixteenth Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna Conference of the Parties (2013)
International Union for the Conservation of Nature formal resolution on the conservation of rhinoceros species in Africa and Asia (2012)
Statement from the African Rhino Specialist Group Secretariat Concerning the Avaaz Petition (2012)
Summary of rhino related discussions and outcomes at CITES CoP15 (2010)
Report on the status and trends in rhinos and trade issues worldwide for 14th CITES Conference of the Parties (2007)
RHINO TRANSLOCATIONS
Guidelines for the In Situ and Translocation of African and Asian Rhinoceros (2009)
Translocating black rhinos: current techniques for capture, transport, boma care, release and post-release monitoring
JOURNALS
Pachyderm, the journal of the African Elephant, African Rhino and Asian Rhino Specialist Groups of IUCN’s Species Survival Commission (ongoing)
AFRICAN RHINO ACTION PLANS
African Rhino Range States’ African Rhino Conservation Plan (2016)
African Rhino Action Plan (1999)
SADC REGIONAL PROGRAM
Guidelines for Implementing SADC Rhino Conservation Strategies
Black Rhino Biological Management
Contact Information for the African Rhino Specialist Group
Dr Dave Balfour
Chairman, IUCN SSC AfRSG
P.O.Box 22064, Fish Hoek, 7974
Tel: +27828036436
email: environ1@mweb.co.za
Dr Sam Ferreira
Scientific Officer
Private Bag X202, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa
email: sam.ferreira@sanparks.org
Keitumetse Makoma
Programme Officer
P.O. Box 32, Morwa, Botswana
email: mosweukm@yahoo.com