The Kenya Wildlife Services has commenced translocation of 14 black rhinos from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru National Parks to Tsavo East National Park rhino sanctuary.
KWS says this is part of the broader plan in partnership with Wild Wide fund for nature-Kenya (WWF-K) to create more secure space with suitable habitat for the rhinos.
This comes amid public outcry over the construction of the Standard Gauge Railway through the Nairobi National park.
The exercise that was launched today by tourism CS Najib Balala will take three-weeks.
“This is a key milestone in the conservation of black rhinos that are listed as Critically Endangered after their numbers declined by over 90% over the last three decades – majorly as a result of poaching pressure. The current national population of black rhinos stands at 745 as at end of 2017. The new Rhino Conservation Strategy (2017 -2021) aims to achieve at least 5% p.a growth rate and attain a population of 830 by 2021,” Balala said.
Balala added that through the partnership with WWF-Kenya and other partners, KWS has been able to spearhead Rhino conservation efforts in the country.
