511
1500
18,000 - 20,000
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Rhino Rescue has also undertaken to fund further increase in the size of the rhino sanctuary started by the Zoo Check Charitable Trust in 1985 at Ngulia near Mtito Andei in the Tsavo West National Park, 190 km south-east of Nairobi, where the erection of a further 20 km of fencing will increase the total area of this sanctuary to some 60 sq km. Shortly after the first three female rhinos, caught near Kibwezi and Taveta, were freed in Tsavo, a male broke in through the perimeter fence, and has remained there ever since. Recently another male, who had killed two white rhinos at Ol Jogi, and had subsequently been de-horned, was translocated to Ngulia, where he in turn was killed by one of the resident rhinos. This unfortunate occurrence adds cogency to the many arguments against the de-horning of rhinos, certainly in Kenya, as a solution to the problem confronting conservationists. Since 1985 two rhino calves have been born at Ngulia, where the total number of rhinos in the sanctuary is now 10, and where a similar number from Solio (see below) is due to be added shortly.
Thanks to a generous donation from the David Shepherd Conservation Foundation, Rhino Rescue has also contributed to the construction of a further sanctuary in the Salient of the Aberdare National Park, a little over 100 km due north of Nairobi.
Ngulia Rhino Sanctuary. Recently another male, who had killed two white rhinos at Ol Jogi, and had subsequently been de-horned, was translocated to Ngulia, where he in turn was killed by one of the resident rhinos.
In addition to poaching, another reason for the decline of the black rhino is the rapid growth in the human population. At around 4 per cent per annum Kenya, for example, has one of the highest growth rates in the world. With increasing reclamation of land for farming and demand for wood as fuel and building material, the rhino's distribution has shrunk dramatically.
Only 18 months after the launch of the Rhino Rescue Appeal, the first black rhinos were released in Nakuru, to join the two already within the National Park. Seventeen animals were transferred from the private Solio ranch near Nyeri, (which in addition to supporting a population of no fewer than 85 black rhinos also contains a group of 30 introduced white rhinos) owned by an American, Mr Courtland E. Parfet, another patron of the Trust. The founding stock was deliberately kept low to encourage the animals to breed more freely. Without the foresight of Mr Parfet in creating his private sanctuary at Solio, the work of the Trust would not have been possible. Shortly after the rhinos were transferred from Solio to Nakuru, an immature female was attacked and injured by an adult female. After treatment of her wounds in the holding pens she was released, only to be attacked and injured again. On the second occasion she rather touchingly returned to the holding pens for treatment of her own accord, and after recovery was transferred from Nakuru to a private sanctuary. If and when the population at Nakuru becomes too great, surplus animals will also be transferred to other public or private sanctuaries. A further 11 female black rhinos from Solio are due to be added to Nakuru shortly, which is now home to 19 animals (11 males, seven females and one calf born since the sanctuary was formed), and several of the females are believed to be in calf. From this breeding nucleus at Nakuru, which it is estimated can hold at least 60 adult rhinos, the future of the species in Kenya, where in 1988 for the first time in many years more rhinos were born than were killed, now seems assured. In time it is hoped that some animals can safely be returned to the wild in other unfenced national parks. This is Rhino Rescue's ultimate objective. That such a magnificent creature should ever be allowed to disappear from the earth is surely unthinkable.
Only 18 months after the launch of the Rhino Rescue Appeal, the first black rhinos were released in Nakuru, to join the two already within the National Park. Seventeen animals were transferred from the private Solio ranch near Nyeri, (which in addition to supporting a population of no fewer than 85 black rhinos also contains a group of 30 introduced white rhinos) owned by an American, Mr Courtland E. Parfet, another patron of the Trust. The founding stock was deliberately kept low to encourage the animals to breed more freely. Without the foresight of Mr Parfet in creating his private sanctuary at Solio, the work of the Trust would not have been possible.
When a rhino is shot with a tranquillizing dart, placed in a holding pen and allowed to become settled in its surroundings, it normally becomes accustomed to people looking after it within 3 or 4 days, and after a week can be transported by vehicle to its new home.
Black rhinos are not gregarious creatures and problems can arise if populations become too great for a given area. Even when the population is not large, difficulties can arise. Shortly after the rhinos were transferred from Solio to Nakuru, an immature female was attacked and injured by an adult female. After treatment of her wounds in the holding pens she was released, only to be attacked and injured again. On the second occasion she rather touchingly returned to the holding pens for treatment of her own accord, and after recovery was transferred from Nakuru to a private sanctuary.
Recently another male, who had killed two white rhinos at Ol Jogi, and had subsequently been de-horned, was translocated to Ngulia, where he in turn was killed by one of the resident rhinos. This unfortunate occurrence adds cogency to the many arguments against the de-horning of rhinos, certainly in Kenya, as a solution to the problem confronting conservationists.
