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Rhino Population Continues to Increase in Kenya
Tsavo, Kenya - Not only is the eastern black rhino highly endangered, it is also localized in small populations of Kenya and northern Tanzania. Located primarily in fenced sanctuaries, these small populations hold the future of the species. Sanctuaries aim to have rhinos reproduce safely away from poachers, to increase and ultimately to repopulate other areas.
AWF Chief Scientist, Dr. Philip Muruthi, just returned from a two-day visit to Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary in Tsavo, Kenya. "The AWF-supported sanctuary has been a success" reports Muruthi. A night census was just concluded and it has revealed that there are now 57 black rhinos at Ngulia, up from 53 individuals in 2001. An increase in births and no reported poaching incidents have allowed the Ngulia rhino population to grow. "We found that the security situation is still at high alert, following poaching in the adjacent Tsavo East National Park" says Muruthi.