In a landmark conservation effort, Vetinwild's Dr. Stephen Chege participated in the successful translocation of 12 critically endangered black rhinos from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy to Loisaba Conservancy in northern Kenya.
Why Translocate Rhinos?
Black rhinos (Diceros bicornis) are classified as critically endangered, with fewer than 6,000 individuals remaining in the wild. Translocation is a crucial conservation tool that helps establish new populations, reduce pressure on existing habitats, and maintain genetic diversity.
Lewa Conservancy has achieved remarkable success in rhino conservation, with its black rhino population growing to near carrying capacity. This success created an opportunity to establish a new breeding population at Loisaba Conservancy, which offers excellent habitat and robust security infrastructure.
The Translocation Process
The operation required meticulous planning and coordination among multiple organizations:
- Pre-translocation Assessment: Veterinary teams evaluated the health of candidate rhinos and assessed habitat suitability at Loisaba
- Capture Operations: Using helicopter-assisted darting, rhinos were carefully immobilized with specialized anesthetics
- Transport: Rhinos were loaded into custom-designed crates and transported by truck to Loisaba
- Release and Monitoring: Animals were released into secure bomas for acclimatization before final release into the conservancy
Veterinary Considerations
Dr. Chege's role focused on ensuring the medical safety of the rhinos throughout the process. Key responsibilities included:
- Monitoring vital signs during immobilization and transport
- Managing anesthesia reversal and recovery
- Conducting post-translocation health assessments
- Advising on stress mitigation strategies
Early Results
All 12 rhinos successfully adapted to their new environment. Intensive monitoring in the first 90 days showed normal behavior patterns, adequate nutrition, and positive social interactions. Two females have already given birth, marking a promising start for the new population.
Conservation Impact
This translocation represents a significant milestone in Kenya's black rhino recovery program. By establishing a viable breeding population at Loisaba, conservationists have increased the species' resilience and reduced the risk of catastrophic loss from disease, poaching, or natural disasters.
The collaboration demonstrates the power of partnerships in conservation, bringing together expertise from Kenya Wildlife Service, Lewa Conservancy, Loisaba Conservancy, and Vetinwild.
