Karoo farmers become custodians of the critically endangered Riverine Rabbit
In response to the urgent need to address the rapidly declining population of South Africa’s endemic species, the Riverine Rabbit (Bunolagus monticularis) and its equally threatened Karoo habitat, landowners in the Karoo have established dedicated Riverine Rabbit Conservancies covering an area of approximately 200 000 ha private farmland.
The Riverine Rabbit is critically endangered and with less than 250 mature individuals estimated left in the wild today, the species is facing an extremely high risk of extinction. The species is endemic to the Karoo and because it only occurs on private farmland its survival lies in the hands of private landowners.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust’s (EWT) Riverine Rabbit Working Group coordinates the conservation efforts for the Riverine Rabbit and its habitat. Besides representatives of statutory and non-statutory institutions the group comprises private landowners who are critical role-players in the conservation of the rabbit, the riverbanks and floodplains and of all Karoo biodiversity in general. Many other plant and animal species benefit from the conservation of the rabbit and the sustainable management of the river zones will provide social-economic benefits for the region.
The Riverine Rabbit functions as an indicator species of the river zones for Karoo farmers as its extinction in many areas of its former natural distribution range is indicative of degradation, fragmentation and loss of the valuable riverine vegetation caused by over-utilization and cultivation. Due to the linear nature of its habitat, the Riverine Rabbit can be most effectively protected if landowners participate in a network of conservancies to conserve remaining habitat and form an extended Riverine Rabbit conservation area. Therefore, one of the main focal areas of the EWT’s Riverine Rabbit Working Group is the establishment of Riverine Rabbit Conservancies which are areas established by a voluntary agreement between private landowners who have Riverine Rabbits and potentially suitable habitat on their properties. These conservancies are recognised by local government and nature conservation bodies and so far three Riverine Rabbit Conservancies have been established in the Karoo, one in the Northern Cape and two in the Western Cape. The conservation and management of Riverine Rabbit populations and their habitat is outlined in the conservancy constitution and landowners are strictly controlling or prohibiting any hunting with dogs as well as the use of gin traps.
South Africa’s biodiversity is unique but increasingly threatened. The current network of formally protected areas is not enough to protect the diverse range of species and habitats under pressure. With 80% of South Africa’s land surface in private hands, conservation strategies must involve landowners. The first conservancy was established in 1978 in KwaZulu Natal and in 2003 the National Association of Conservancies of South Africa (NACSA) was formed to establish a network of conservancies throughout the country, to become a voice for private conservation, to interact with provincial and national government and to link various conservation initiatives.
Today more and more conservancies are developing throughout South Africa and in the Western Cape, conservancies which are defined as “collectively-managed multi-landowner areas” fall under the category of conservation areas, the entry level of their Conservation Stewardship programme. This programme forms part of a new conservation initiative of Cape Nature and the Botanical Society of South Africa and aims to develop and implement a stewardship strategy with incentive schemes that will catalyze private and community-based conservation initiatives in the Western Cape.
Besides the eradication of the main direct threats to the species such as free-roaming and uncontrolled hunting dogs and the illegal use of gin traps, recent ongoing scientific studies emphasise that it is critical to conserve suitable riverine habitat and to allow natural connectivity among Riverine Rabbit populations on Karoo farms.
With
the erection of new conservancy sign boards for Riverine Rabbit Conservancies
funded by Rand Merchant Bank, all involved landowners and conservancy members
are now proudly looking back at the years in which they were involved in the
conservation of one of South Africa’s most endangered mammal species and are
celebrating their constant efforts to save the species and its habitat. The
boards were designed by the Riverine Rabbit Working Group and indicate the
Riverine Rabbit Conservancy area, as well acknowledge main project partners and
sponsors such as the Mazda Wildlife Fund, Rand Merchant Bank,WWF-SA,the
Elizabeth Wakeman Henderson Charitable Foundation and the Zoological Society for
the Conservation of Species and Populations.
Contact: Dr Vicky Ahlmann (DVM)
Riverine Rabbit Working Group Manager
P.O. Box 172
Loxton 6985
Tel/Fax: +27(0)53 - 381 3107
E-mail: ahlmann@yebo.co.za