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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC African Rhino Specialist Group
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Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC African Rhino Specialist Group

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Overview and description

Description:
In the last decade, poachers have killed almost 10,000 rhinos across Africa to feed the demand for horn on the black market. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) exists to promote the ...
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In the last decade, poachers have killed almost 10,000 rhinos across Africa to feed the demand for horn on the black market. The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) exists to promote the development and long term maintenance of viable populations of the various subspecies of African rhinos in the wild.

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Group leadership

Dr David BALFOUR
Chair

Following two decades in formal conservation in South Africa, I embarked on a freelance career consulting in conservation ecology. My formal experience has largely been focused at the interface between science and management – using science to guide conservation management decision making. I spent ten years as a savanna park ecologist before taking on roles in senior and executive management in a conservation agency. With a master’s degree in forest ecology and a PhD in savanna ecology I have extensive field experience in both ecosystems as well as in arid ecosystems. Over 60% of my time as a consultant draws on my specialist expertise in large mammal management and my perspectives on strategic approaches to tackling the challenges of the day. I have a particular interest in grappling with how conservation management decision making can be improved through incorporating an understanding of ecological, behavioural and institutional processes. I am a longstanding member of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ African Rhino Specialist Group and the African Elephant Specialist Group as well as the SADC Rhino Management Group which I currently chair. I have delivered work for UNEP, INTERPOL, African Governments, conservation NGOs and private individuals.

Following two decades in formal conservation in South Africa, I embarked on a freelance career consulting in conservation ecology. My formal experience has largely been focused at the interface ...

Dr Sam FERREIRA
Red List Authority Coordinator
Email

More about the Specialist Group

The African Rhino Specialist Group is one of the more than 140 Specialist Groups (SGs) of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™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 & ...

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More about the Specialist Group

The African Rhino Specialist Group is one of the more than 140 Specialist Groups (SGs) of the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥â€™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.

  1. 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
  2. To foster multiple values of rhinos for all peoples’ well-being through promoting sustainable conservation
  3. To facilitate research, collate information and report on the status of African rhinos to the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ and other parties
  4. To support targeted communication to a wide range of stakeholders
  5. To ensure effective leadership through the capacity building and mentorship of the next generation of rhino conservationists
  6. To promote sustainable finance and good governance for African rhino conservation
  7. To manage, monitor and evaluate the Group via effective, efficient, and transparent governance
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MISSION
The Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ SSC African Rhino Specialist Group (AfRSG) mission is to promote the development and long-term maintenance of viable populations of the various sub-species of African rhinos in the wild.Ìý

Specialist Group work

AfRSG identifies and addresses threats to African Rhino species as well as identifying opportunities for conservation.

African Rhinos face emerging threats every day. AfRSG guides and facilitates the conservation of viable African Rhino populations across their natural habitat.

AfRSG assesses species for the Ïã¸ÛÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±½á¹ûÏÖ³¡Ö±²¥ Red List of Threatened Species to inform conservation efforts.

Learn about AfRSG’s work and results in 2023.

Previous reports:

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Black rhino (Diceros bicornis), Critically Endangered. Credit: Michael Knight

AfRSG SO and Chair with blind BR in Kenya. Credit: ARSG archives

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