Lizzie Whitebread- Save the Rhino International
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, in partnership with the Kenya Wildlife Service
and Ol Pejeta Conservancy has started the largest ever black rhino
translocation in Kenya. The intention is to move 34 black rhino in total. A
total of four animals will be moved from Ol Jogi reserve and 26 from Solio
Ranch into the new conservation area at Ol Pejeta prior to the fence between
it and Sweetwaters being taken down later in the year. To compensate Ol Jogi
four more will be moved from Solio to this ranch. This three way move keeps
the gene pool fresh at Ol Pejeta. A team of over 16 people have been
deployed from Lewa and will be working on the west side of Laikipia for over
a month.
As at Monday 12th February 20 animals have been moved, all successfully. If
all goes well the team may stay to move some Giraffe as well. All quite an
achievement.
Lewa is also pleased to announce the birth of another black rhino on the
Conservancy. The mother, Waiwai, last gave birth two and a half years ago
and this calf has been pushed away by Mum for a couple of months while she
looks after her new child (sex unknown at the moment). If you would like to
name this new calf, or to view Lewa’s funding wish list for 2007 please get
in touch with Joanne Machira at the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy – just visit
www.lewa.org for details.
For more information on rhinos, translocations and the Laikipia region
please visit www.savetherhino.org