In an effort to boost the numbers of the endangered black rhino species, the government on Wednesday, November 13, 2024, embarked on an exercise to ear-notch rhinos in Tsavo West National Park and other parks across the country.
While the majority of the rhinos are hosted in private conservancies due to their dwindling numbers, the government has begun the process of ear-notching the numbers in parks with surveillance transmitters to protect them from poachers.
The gadgets will also help the Kenya Wildlife Service officers locate the endangered rhinos for monitoring, treatment and tracking for enumeration.
“Today, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Rebecca Miano launched a rhino notching initiative in Tsavo West National Park. This exercise aims to ear-notch 20 to 25 black rhinos, reinforcing Kenya’s steadfast commitment to safeguarding its iconic rhino population,”KWS said in a statement on Wednesday, November 13, 2024.
Adding: “Ear-notching, coupled with the installation of surveillance transmitters, will strengthen monitoring and protection measures, ensuring better conservation outcomes and improved traceability of these endangered species.”
Endangered species
According to a recent count by the government, the population of the black rhino crossed the 1,000 mark after falling below 400 in the 80s.
With the government’s projected goal being 2,000 black rhinos by 2037, the Ministry of Wildlife embarked on concerted efforts to protect the big five animals from extinction.
The black rhino population drastically dropped between 1970 and 1980 due to extensive poaching, and depletion of their habitat from the effects of climate change and encroachment.
Currently, the wild black rhino can only be found in four African countries including South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia and Kenya.
However, 80 per cent of the eastern black rhino is found in eight of Kenya’s game parks and community and private conservancies and sanctuaries in the country.
Black rhinos are categorised as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. They are the smaller of the two African rhino species and are also called hook-lipped rhinos due to their pointed upper lip.
“It is heartening that, thanks to conservation efforts over many years, black rhino numbers are continuing to rise in Kenya thanks to people, communities and organisations coming together to help bring this wonderful species back to life. However, their future is still not assured, and black rhinos remain critically endangered across Africa,” World Wide Fund for Nature programme advisor for Africa Tanya Smith said in February 2024.