The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has successfully translocated a number of rhinos from Lake Nakuru National Park and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to the newly established Borana Rhino sanctuary in Laikipia.
The rhinos were
moved from Lake Nakuru National Park while the others were translocated
from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy. The composition was so designed to
avoid in-breeding. The week-long exercise (August 26-31, 2013) was
funded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Zurich Zoo and US F&W in
collaboration with Kenya Wildlife Service.
The
translocation is aimed at establishing a new rhino population and keep
the established populations in Lake Nakuru National Park and Lewa
Wildlife Conservancy productive by maintaining their numbers below their
ecological carrying capacity levels.
The rhino
conservation policy since 1989 has centered on the creation of
intensively protected fenced sanctuaries. Black rhino has steadily
increased within the sanctuaries necessitating removals to avoid
negative density dependent effects. However, many established
sanctuaries still remain overstocked hence new secure habitats are
required.
The current
Conservation and Management Strategy for the Black Rhino in Kenya
2012-2016 sets targets on restocking former free ranging areas which can
support large populations, as well as the creation of intensive
Protection Zones (IPZ) and secure sanctuaries in order to achieve its
strategic objective of population expansion to reach a confirmed total
of 750 black rhinos by end of 2016.
Focus is
placed on promoting creation of more government, private and community
rhino sanctuaries to achieve the vision of a metapopulation of 2,000
black rhinos in Kenya managed in their natural habitat in the long term.
Borana rhino sanctuary which is privately owned was one of the new
areas targeted in the strategic plan for rhino population expansion.
WWF species
manager, Robert Ndetei witnessed the translocation and pledged continued
support to KWS in its quest to conserve the last great species and
places on earth for humanity. He said the international body has had a
long standing relationship with KWS and cited among others
collaborations in the establishment of rhino sanctuaries among them Lake
Nakuru, Tsavo West and the creation of Intensive Protection Zone (IPZ)
in Tsavo West National park.
Mr Patrick
Omondi, the KWS Deputy Director of Wildlife Conservation, thanked all
partners who made the exercise successful. He said KWS will continue to
partner with private land owners in the conservation of wildlife and
commended the management of Borana Rhino Sanctuary for meeting the
prerequisites for rhino conservation. He encouraged communities to set
aside more land for wildlife conservation.
The original post is credited to KWS .
