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Rhino conservation in East Africa
The rhinoceros as a genus are all critically endangered bar the southern white rhino, which although still threatened has shown remarkable recovery.
The main reason for endangerment has been the rhino horn trade. Some control of the trade has helped to resolve this issue to a degree in Africa, however there is now a growing market in China and therefore an increasing international demand on wildlife products.
ZSL has a long history in supporting the recovery of rhino in Kenya, from planning conservation and metapopulation management, to establishing veterinary and animal translocation teams in the wildlife authority, and training to build field staff in tracking rhinos and collecting accurate demographic data.
Due to incompatibility with man and the pressures of poaching, the rhino in kenya is no longer a free roaming species and is instead confined to sanctuaries, where local teams monitor and relocate the herds when populations reach capacity.
In order to establish secure habitats for this species ZSL has worked closed with the private sector in Kenya and the contribution of private land to this project has been critical in the conservation of the species.
In neighboring countries Tanzania is developing its conservation strategy, whilst Uganda has initiated a rhino reintroduction programme with whites back in the wild.
The main aim for the future of both black and white rhino conservation is to develop a regional approach to support and sustain the development of secure sanctuaries across the range and perhaps the eventual reintroduction to the field.
To find out more about this project download our factsheet.
Black Rhinos (3.8 MB)
Find out how you can visit ZSL’s black rhino project in Tsavo West National Park
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