Serengeti General Management Plan

C. Ecosystem Management Programme
Action 1.3.3: Implement fire management measures as per SENAPA Fire Management
Plan
In line with the GMP, the SENAPA Fire Management Plan (Technical Detail Plan) will set the
objectives for fire management within the Serengeti, and will outline how these objectives will
be achieved. Fire management methods will include; fire-breaks - set through early burning -
and fire-beating. These methods will be implemented for specific areas through strategic fire
burning regimes.
The Fire Management Plan will include provisions for the enhancement of anti-poaching efforts
around the Riverine Forests. This is in response to poaching camps that have been
found in each of the five large remaining forest fragments. Poachers routinely burn the area
surrounding these forest fragments and inside the fire breaks to lure animals into the forest.
This will be addressed in collaboration with the Resource Protection Department (see Target
1.1 of the Park Operations Programme).
Target 1.4: Restoration of viable populations of Black rhino
The number of Black rhino has dropped to only 63 animals in the Greater Serengeti Ecosystem
from a population of around one thousand in 1970; primarily as a result of poaching.
There are currently two small populations of Black rhino in SENAPA. The Moru Rhino Area
population is located in southern SENAPA near the headwaters of the Mbalageti River. This
population has achieved growth rates of 13% (among the best in Africa) and currently comprises
14 rhino: four males (one adult, two subadults and one calf); nine females (four adults,
three subadults and two calves); and one unsexed calf. The second population is the transboundary
population, which move between SENAPA and the Masai Mara National Reserve
in Kenya. Eight rhino have been individually identified in the Tanzania sector; four males
(one adult and three subadult) and four females (three adult and one calf).
The Black rhino population currently within the Serengeti is closely monitored and protected
within the Moru Rhino Area; a grassland habitat. However, there are no Black rhino found in
their natural Serengeti habitat, which are the Terminalia woodland, Riverine Forest and hilltop
thickets. This management target seeks the restoration of viable Black rhino populations
within SENAPA.
Threats to Black rhino Threat Level Response
Poaching Very high Action 1.4.1 - 2
Unviable population size Medium Action 1.4.1 & 4
Inbreeding Medium Action 1.4.1 & 4
Human disturbance Medium Action 1.4.1 & 3
Fire resulting in habitat loss Low See Target 1.3
As illustrated in the box above, the most severe threat to rhino continues to be from poaching,
which could eliminate the existing rhino population from the Serengeti within the next 10years.
The poaching of rhino has in turn led to a number of other threats such as unviable
population size and inbreeding. The threat from human disturbance relates to uncontrolled
access of tourists visiting the protected rhinos. This threat will be addressed in collaboration
with the Tourism Department (See Target 1.1. of Tourism Programme). The loss of the natural
woodland habitat for rhinos in the north of the Serengeti is a threat that is addressed by
the previous management target regarding fire management.
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