KENYA: Rhinos, Back from the Brink?

The decline of Black Rhinoceros (above), only found in Africa, since 1970 due to poaching has been dramatic. Their horn is used illegally for traditional medicines (aphrodisiac) in Asia and as dagger sheaths in Yemen. There were an estimated 65,000 individuals in 1970. Ten years later that number had fallen to 10,000. Today the population hovers around 4000 and climbing. During that time period Kenya’s numbers went from 20,000 to around 500. Through conservation programs, rhino sanctuaries, vigilant ranger protection, security monitoring and eco-tourism enabling communities to benefit from the wildlife, there is now an annual growth of about 5%.

Oddly enough it was the White Rhinos (above front and rear right two – Black in center back) that where once on the brink of extinction, due to hunting, with only 50 remaining in late 1890’s. By 2008 there were an estimated 17,500 individuals with 95% of the population found in South Africa, The near-threatened White Rhinos were introduced to Kenya, from South Africa in the 1970’s, when the critically endangered Black Rhinos were almost gone. Kenya now has 300 White Rhinos.

While South Africa and Namibia account for 70% of the Black Rhino population, Kenya has the 3rd largest population at almost 13%. I spent a day at the Solio Game Ranch (above), a 17,500 acre private ranch nestled in a valley in the Central Highlands, between the Abedare Mountain Range and Mt. Kenya. Almost single handedly this ranch has been instrumental in saving Kenya’s rhino population from extinction. They have had tremendous success following an introduction of 23 Black and 16 White Rhinos. Respectively, they now number over 75 and 155 individuals. This accounts for about 25% of Kenya’s Black population and 50% of its White. With this growth rate, the ranch has been able to relocate these massive herbivores to various sanctuaries and National Parks.

The names of these two rhinos do not imply their color. It looks as though some of the rhinos above are black, and some white in color. If fact, these are all White Rhinoceros.

White is a corruption of a Dutch word for “wide”, as in wide mouth. Its broad flat mouth is used for grazing, and another name for the White Rhino (above) is “Square-lipped”. Unlike other rhinos, the White Rhino is semi-gregarious.

Black was chosen as it was the opposite of White, therefore on could distinguish them. Confusing to say the least. Black rhinos weigh about half as much as White’s, who can weigh over 3 tons. Black Rhinos (above) are also browser, whereas Whites are grazers, and are most active at night when they do most of their foraging. Another name for them is “Hooked-lipped”, which they use to grasp leaves, twigs and branches when feeding.