Kenya has started the translocation of 21 critically endangered black rhinos to establish a new breeding population at Segera Conservancy, an exercise estimated to cost the government KSh 14 million.
- •Kenya’s rhino population is estimated at 2,102 individuals-1,059 black rhinos, 1,041 southern white rhinos and the only remaining 2 northern white rhinos.
- •The founder breeding population will comprise 21 unrelated individuals with 11 females and 10 males selected from Ol Pejeta, Lewa and Nakuru to ensure optimal genetic diversity.
- •The Laikipia-based Segera Conservancy, which is their new home, will be Kenya’s 18th black rhino sanctuary.
“This strategic move addresses two critical challenges,” KWS Director General, Prof Erustus Kanga said. “First, it relieves overcrowding in established sanctuaries where territorial conflicts cause 30% of rhino mortalities. Second, it creates a new breeding nucleus that will significantly contribute to grow the rhino population to achieve the goal of 2,000 black rhinos by 2037.”
The Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano will flag off the translocation exercise at Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia County on Saturday morning, where KWS capture and veterinary teams will carefully capture and transport the animals to their new Segera 90-km² sanctuary in Laikipia County.
“May’s cool, dry weather minimizes stress on the animals during transport,” said Dr Isaac Lekolool, the KWS Head of Veterinary and Capture Services. “Each rhino will be monitored by the veterinary team throughout the translocation journey until they are safely released in the new home,” he added.
The translocation exercise will be undertaken in 18 days with 3 rhinos captured in each translocation and a break in between to ensure the rhinos settle before the next capture operation.
