The rhinoceros and tiger conservation fund (rtcf) is soliciting proposals for the conservation of african rhinoceroses

In response to the alarming decline of rhino and tiger populations, the US congress passed the rhinoceros and tiger conservation act in 1994. The act provides for the establishment of the rhino tiger conservation fund to be administered by the U.S. Fish & wildlife service (USFWS) to provide financial assistance to support projects that work to conserve populations of rhinos and tigers in the wild. Proposals for africa and for asia are handled through different program offices. This document refers specifically to the africa program. This funding opportunity aligns with the USFWS mission and the secretary⿿s priorities, including: 1. Create a conservation stewardship legacy, second only to teddy roosevelt 2. Sustainably develop our energy & natural resources 3. Restore trust & be a good neighbor 4. Ensure tribal sovereignty means something 7. Strike a regulatory balance 10. Achieving our goals, leading our team forward the U.S. Fish & wildlife service⿿s african rhino program supports projects that promote conservation through: ⿢ enhanced protection of at-risk rhinoceros populations; ⿢ protected area/reserve management in important rhinoceros range; ⿢ veterinary care for wild populations; ⿢ habitat conservation and management; ⿢ reintroduction to former range; ⿢ restoration of habitat; ⿢ wildlife inspection, law enforcement, and forensics skills; ⿢ conservation education and community outreach; ⿢ strengthening local capacity to implement conservation programs; ⿢ applied research on rhinoceros populations and their habitats, including surveys and monitoring; ⿢ development and execution of rhinoceros conservation management plans; and ⿢ compliance with applicable treaties and laws that prohibit or regulate the taking or trade of rhinoceros or regulate the use and management of their habitat; ⿢ reducing demand for illegal rhino parts and products and for live animals in consumer countries; ⿢ combatting trafficking of illegal rhino parts, products and live animals. Proposed project work should occur within rhinoceros range, or, if work is to be conducted outside of the range, the proposal should show clear relevance to rhinoceros conservation. Proposals must identify immediate threats to rhino survival and support direct conservation activities to eliminate or reduce those threats. If the project includes research, the applicant must provide a convincing argument that the research addresses priority threats and that the results are likely to result in management actions. Priority will be given to projects involving indigenous subspecies within natural range. EX situ populations are not eligible. Funding decisions will also take the degree of endangerment of the taxon into account, with more funding directed to more imperiled subspecies. Funding decisions will also take in the importance of the particular population to the survival of the subspecies.