Founded in 1982 Save the Rhino Trust is the only Conservation NGO in Namibia mandated by the Government to monitor and conduct research on the Black Rhinos in North-western part of Namibia known as the Kunene region. Working in close collaboration with local communities, Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism ( MEFT) and like minded Conservation NGO's we are dedicated to conserve the Dessert-adapted black rhinos on communal land and our success fundamentally rests on our effective collaborations both nationally and internationally and determination by our monitoring teams.

In close collaboration with Government, Namibian Police, local communities and national and international partners, SRT's efforts are central to achieving the following goals:

• Monitoring and evaluating the rhino population
• Enhancing security of the rhino
• Providing benefits to the community through conservation.

Participatory Rhino Monitoring

SRT has provided consistent patrolling and monitoring of black rhino in the Kunene and northern Erongo Regions over the past four decades. These activities are delivered by teams of trackers operating out of field camps on foot, supported by vehicles. Rhino monitoring will remain SRT’s core function.

​Objective

To continually monitor rhinos in our landscapes through effective deployment of rhino teams in the landscapes.

​Goal

There is effective rhino monitoring in community conservancies and tourism concessions in Namibia, so that there is good information on the rhinos that we work with.

Community Involvement

As a cornerstone of its strategy for increasing the local value of rhinos to communities, and increasing support for rhino protection and conservation, SRT will continue to engage and involve a range of local community stakeholders in collaborative activities, particular those which (a) are endorsed by Traditional Authorities and Leaders, and (b) develop the capacity of conservancy members (rhino rangers and community game guards), tourism operators and community/private rhino custodians to monitor rhinos and maintain high standards of collection of data and information and awareness programmes for visitors and young people in Namibia.

​Objective

To create a platform for the exchange of information by strengthening and building trusted relationships with farmers, Traditional Authorities and conservancy managers. 

​Goal

Local communities are actively involved in rhino conservation in a manner that improves the value they attach to saving and protecting them.

Research and Evaluation

Since 1994, SRT’s rhino monitoring information continues to provide long-term data on population dynamics status and distribution trends. Utilizing the vast wealth of knowledge and information captured and collated by SRT to improve our efforts to better protect rhinos is a fundamental aspect of our work. We will further expand our research into the human dimension, which will make our work more impactful as people are a key component to achieving our mission.

​Objective

To align research and data collection with management needs.

​Goal

Decision making (at different levels, including SRT, MEFT and conservancies) on management strategies and learning on black rhino conservation, as well as social impacts, are based on evidence for the sustainability of rhino populations and their habitats

Well-Functioning SRT

This is a combination of the former capacity building, governance, fundraising and communications pillars. Improved coordination, collaboration and communication within the organisation, and externally with other key stakeholders and local partners, will enable SRT to build a robust and trusted position for achieving its key strategic objectives and outcomes over the period of the plan.

​Objective

To have a functional board who are aware of their roles and responsibilities, and are motivated to carry out those responsibilities.

​​Goal

SRT is a strong and effective organisation that is able to achieve impact through support to community-led rhino conservation