Black Rhino Custodianship Programme
The Black Rhino Custodianship Programme (BRCP) in Namibia is a successful conservation project for the preservation of the endangered Southwestern black rhinoceros. Since 1993, surplus rhinos from national parks have been relocated to private farms and communal areas, where they remain state property but are cared for by landowners. The program has led to remarkable population growth, with rhino numbers tripling on private land and doubling overall. Despite challenges such as poaching and droughts, the BRCP has significantly contributed to the species' recovery by expanding its range, creating economic incentives, and involving local communities. Currently, 27 farms covering 850,000 hectares host about one-third of Namibia's black rhino population, making the BRCP a key element of the national conservation strategy.

The Kuzikus Black Rhino Project
The Kuzikus Black Rhino Project (KBRP) takes place on Kuzikus Wildlife Reserve and plays a significant role in black rhino conservation as part of BRCP. Since 1997, Kuzikus has been an approved site for black rhino reintroduction, contributing to the species' conservation efforts. The reserve has successfully maintained and grown its black rhino population, high reproduction rate, which is among the highest in Namibia. This achievement underscores the importance of private wildlife reserves in complementing national conservation efforts and contributing to the overall recovery of the black rhino population in Namibia.

KBRPs' involvement includes:

• Providing a protected habitat for black rhinos on its 10,000-hectare property
• Conducting daily monitoring activities to ensure the safety and health of the rhinos
• Contributing to research and innovation in wildlife management, particularly through projects like the Kuzikus Mapping Project
• Collaborating with the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT) to support the BRCP's goals of expanding the black rhino's range and increasing population growth