The International Rhino Foundation (IRF) received 30 pre-proposals in response to its request for pre-proposals in late 2008. From these,11 investigators were requested to submit full proposals. Targeted research priority areas were:
Improving Translocation Success
- Sedation/transport/release
Retrospective survey (drugs, team, equipment)
Decision tree
Drug combinations
- Post-release success
Retrospective survey
Post-release monitoring
- Boma management (e.g., energy requirements, white rhino anorexia)
- Developing criteria for selecting rhinos for translocation
Improving Rhino Identification and Monitoring
- Investigating new technology for monitoring rhinos
- Improving telemetry for monitoring rhinos
Conservation Genetics
- Fecal DNA analysis
- New ways of metapopulation analysis
- Defining rhino genetic conservation units
- Diversity of the three black rhino subspecies recovering in situ and the two ex situ
Black rhino Health and Mortality Issues
- Iron overload
- Measures of stress
- Nutrition as related to black rhino disease and mortality
- Superficial necrolytic dermatitis
A panel of established scientists and veterinarians reviewed and scored all pre-proposals. Each full proposal was reviewed by three external scientific reviewers and were evaluated on quality, soundness of science, feasibility, likelihood that the results will lead to progress in resolving the challenges, effectiveness of the budget, and importance to the overall effort of maintaining healthy, self-sustaining populations of rhinos.
The IRF is pleased to announce the following 2009/2010 research awards:
Udayan Borthakur - Population genetic monitoring of Indian rhino in Assam: an evaluation of genetic diversity and population differentiation through non-invasive sampling. $ 55,100
Michael Bruford - Pan-African phylogeography and evolutionary history of the black rhinoceros. $ 53,945
Michele Miller - Effects of acid-base, electrolyte, energy and cardiorespiratory imbalances during capture and confinement on boma adaptation in white rhinos. $36,280
Raoul du Toit - Radio frequency identification system for monitoring wild rhino populations (black rhino). $ 25,000
Peter de Groot - Genetic estimates of Javan and Sumatran rhino population size and sex ratio using fecal samples - building on recent progress. $ 70,000
The total amount awarded was $ 240,325, which was matched by $ 235,122 from other donors to these projects.
