Representatives from a number of African countries have met to discuss further conservation of the rare black rhino.

Government ministers from Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, Tanzania and Zambia gathered in South Africa today along with wildlife representatives, community members and eco-tourism operators.

The meeting was held as a celebration of the tenth anniversary of WWF's African Rhino Programme - which has helped to bring the beautiful creatures back from the brink of extinction.

"What we have shown is that in partnership with governments and communities and business it is possible to stave off extinction for the rhino in some of its former range," said WWF International's Species Programme Director Dr Susan Lieberman.

"The task now is to secure a future for the rhino in the rest of its range, where threats from poaching and development urgently need to be addressed."

"What we know from looking back at the last ten years is that sustained conservation can and does work," added George Kampamba, WWF International's African Rhino Programme Coordinator.

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