Evaluation of habitat use and ecological carrying capacity for the reintroduced Eastern black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli) in Ruma National Park, Kenya

Abstract

We carried out a postrelease evaluation to determine predictors of habitat use and carrying capacity for the black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis michaeli), which are critical for monitoring how the Ruma National Park sub‐population may contribute to Kenya's meta‐population strategy. We determined whether level of elevation, rockiness, shade, distance to fence, roads, and human settlements predict habitat use, differences in habitat and diet preference between female and male black rhinoceros, and the ecological carrying capacity (CC) of black rhinoceros in the park. We used standard ecological methods to collect data on predictors of habitat use, habitat preference and to estimate CC. Results show, first, that none of the environmental and anthropogenic factors evaluated predicted habitat use by black rhinoceros in the park. Second, although there was no significant difference in habitat preference between the sexes (U = 16.50, p = 0.306), there was a 60% difference in Jaccard's dissimilarity in diet selection between the sexes. Third, the park can support 65 black rhinoceros. Altogether, the findings suggest that the park has potential to support other sub‐populations in Kenya. We recommend that future similar studies should incorporate population viability analysis and a community‐based approach to forecast the species health and extinction risk.

Trace metals as a possible mediator of roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus langheldi) population decline in Ruma National Park, Kenya

“…The park receives 1,200 mm‐1600 mm annual rainfall. The park covers an area of 126 km 2 and is dominated by several vegetation types including Combretum , Balanites and Acacia , Acacia woodland, dense continuous thicket, isolated thicket clumps and grassland (Oginah, Ang’ienda, & Onyango, 2019). The park is rich in wildlife species such as Rothschild giraffe ( Giraffa camelopardalis rothschildi ), white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum simum ), black rhinoceros ( Diceros bicornis michaeli ) and the roan antelope, which is native to the park.…”

“…We collected soil samples from 30 sampling points predetermined using a vector grid method in QGIS 2.10. The sampling points were marked 1 km apart both vertically and horizontally across the map to ensure that the points were spatially independent (Lush, Mulama, & Jones, 2015;Oginah et al, 2019). A hand‐held Global Positioning System device was used to navigate to each sampling point.…”

“…The sampling points were F I G U R E 1 Map of Ruma National Park and locations of sampling points. Numbers indicate sampling identity for each soil sampling point [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com] marked 1 km apart both vertically and horizontally across the map to ensure that the points were spatially independent (Lush, Mulama, & Jones, 2015;Oginah et al, 2019). A hand-held Global Positioning System device was used to navigate to each sampling point.…”

Joining forces toward proactive elephant and rhinoceros conservation

“…However, conservation efforts to protect rhinos and elephants are increasingly accompanied by the use of force and a fortress mentality, potentially alienating those communities whose support could be vital to conservation success (Duffy et al 2014;Büscher 2015;Witter & Satterfield 2018). Meanwhile, ecological carrying capacity is still the main focus in conservation interventions, in particular in regards to (re-) introductions (Oginah et al 2020). Several anthropogenic counterparts have been proposed (Decker & Purdy 1988;Carpenter et al 2000;Zinn et al 2000;Kleiven et al 2004), yet a spatially explicit analysis of human acceptance is rarely combined with ecological habitat assessments (Behr et al 2017).…”

“…Ecological carrying capacity is still the main focus in conservation interventions, in particular with regard to introductions or reintroductions (Oginah et al., 2020 ). Several anthropogenic counterparts have been proposed (Decker & Purdy, 1988 ; Carpenter et al., 2000 ; Zinn et al., 2000 ; Kleiven et al., 2004 ), yet a spatially explicit analysis of human acceptance is rarely combined with ecological habitat assessments (Behr et al., 2017 ).…”