Rhinos are returned to a plateau in central Kenya, decades after poachers wiped them out
ABC News
Conservationists in Kenya are celebrating as rhinos were returned to a grassy plateau that hasn’t seen them in decades
LOISABA CONSERVANCY, Kenya -- Conservationists in Kenya are celebrating as rhinos were returned to a grassy plateau that hasn't seen them in decades.
The successful move of 21 eastern black rhinos to a new home will give them space to breed and could help increase the population of the critically endangered animals. It was Kenya's biggest rhino relocation ever.
The rhinos were taken from three parks that are becoming overcrowded to the private Loisaba Conservancy, where herds were wiped out by poaching decades ago.
“It’s been decades since rhinos roamed here, almost 50 years ago,” said Loisaba security manager Daniel Ole Yiankere. “Their numbers were severely impacted by poaching. Now, our focus is on rejuvenating this landscape and allowing rhinos to breed, aiming to restore their population to its former splendor.”
Moving rhinos safely is a serious challenge. The 18-day exercise involved tracking the rhinos using a helicopter and then shooting them with tranquilizer darts. Then the animals — which weigh about a ton each — have to be loaded into the back of a truck for the move.
