Project FIRE was designed to evaluate the cost and effectiveness of a number of rhino conservation interventions in the Greater Kruger area.
Since 2011 the rhino population has plummeted 75 percent. Without the combined efforts and funding by various organisations and partnerships working together to combat the pillaging of this iconic species, the picture could have been a great deal worse.
But no strategy or action can be successful without a clear and factual picture of the problem. Why are the poachers successful? Have their methods changed? What areas are they targeting? How successful are different interventions, and to what extent do they simply move the problem to another sector?
These questions and many more need to be answered and that is the objective of Framework of Interventions for Effective Rhino protection Evaluation (Project FIRE). The project involves an objective and methodical deep dive into what drives poaching success and how effective various interventions are. It involves gathering data on these interventions and analysing their cost effectiveness. This is critically important if we are to stem the tide of rhino poaching in South Africa. On GKEPF conservation areas, we fiercely guard our remaining white and black rhinos.
Over the past few years, the government, private sector, and NGOs have continued to commit funds and resources to combat illegal wildlife trade and trafficking, but a holistic evaluation gives a clearer picture of the way forward and where and how funds should be allocated for maximum impact.
Project FIRE focuses on 12 sites covering an area of over two million hectares, all with diverse ownership models and management approaches. Anti-poaching initiatives have historically included the use of advanced technology, tracker and detection dogs, access control, integrity testing and community engagement projects, as well as dehorning. It is vital to measure the impact not only on rhino numbers but on the effectiveness as security interventions. Crime breeds crime and rhino poaching is a wedge for organized criminal syndicates.
When we are faced with solid evidence and detail, it is far easier to plot a more cohesive way forward. Science will drive better management decisions. Reporting systems will make management decisions more effective. By sharing critical data, we simply know more, are able to act more strategically and to manage funds more effectively.
Data collection began in 2021. Project FIRE calls for a powerful and driven coalition of reserve managers from GKEPF and representatives from Kruger National Park/ SANParks who meet regularly. Data is independently captured analysed by representatives from the University of Cape Town.
Project FIRE will benefit all private reserves, SANPark reserves, any area where rhinos are protected, key reserves and players in surrounding countries with significant rhino populations, and community, privately and provincially owned reserves in SA.
It is, in essence, fighting fire with FIRE. Rhino poaching is not a random criminal act. It is organised, funded, connected internationally, and sophisticated. The only way we will be able to match this level of organized crime is to co-ordinate our efforts and harness the wealth of experience and knowledge we have in our scientific partners, our wardens, rangers, security managers and communities.
The project is a valuable collaboration between the GKEPF private sector and the Kruger National Park and is supported by the Rhino Recovery Fund (RRF) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).
South Africa conserves the majority of Africa’s rhinos. Most of the national population resides in the Greater Kruger system (an open, unfenced landscape). Many years of high poaching losses in the Kruger National Park reduced populations to less than 3,000 white rhinos and approximately 300 black rhinos by the end of 2021. This represents a population reduction of 65% for white rhinos since 2011, and 35% for black rhinos.
Project goal: to maximise insight into the cost and effectiveness of rhino conservation interventions in the Greater Kruger by combining robust statistical analysis with manager insights and operational experience. We hope this will inform the decision-making of reserve managers, government wildlife authorities, various non-governmental organisations, and local to global funding agencies.
Evidence-based conservation: We conducted an empirical statistical analysis to relate monthly data on rhino poaching losses to the implementation of several rhino protection interventions from 11 reserves (9 private and 2 state reserves, incl. Kruger NP) over 5 years (2017-2021).
Interventions analysed: Access control, camera technologies, K9 units, integrity (polygraph) testing, dehorning, detection zones, air support, ranger training and equipment, rhino monitoring, fences, and fence alarms.
Contact details for media and other enquiries
Dr Timothy Kuiper, Data Analyst, timothykuiper@gmail.com
The research was published on the front page of Science magazine: Dehorning reduces rhino poaching | Science
