Kenya relocates 33 rhinos

2006-01-12 11:31

Nairobi - Kenyan wildlife officials began relocating 33 endangered rhinos to Meru National Park to restock the animals, which were threatened by people seeking its horn for use in folk medicine, high-priced ornaments and jewellery.

Connie Maina of the Kenya Wildlife Services said the transfer began with the removal of four of the planned 10 black rhinos from Nairobi National Park on Wednesday.

Maina said it would end on February 5 - after some black and white rhinos were also taken from Nakuru National Park as well as from the Salio and Lewa Downs Ranches to restore wildlife diversity in the Meru Conservation Area.

Endangered species

The rhinoceros population had declined by 90% since 1970, with five species remaining in the world today, all of which were endangered.

According to the Africa Wildlife Foundation, the white and black rhinos were the only species left in Africa.

The white rhino's name came from the Dutch "weit," meaning wide, a word that referred to its wide, square muzzle adapted for grazing.

The white rhino, whose real colour was grey, had a pronounced hump on the neck and a long face.

Relocation to cost $483 520

The black or hook-lipped rhino had a thick, hairless, grey hide. Both African species had two horns, the longer of which sat at the front of the nose.

The relocation would cost $483 520, financed by Kenya Wildlife Service; Fonds Francais pour L'Environment Mondial, or the French Fund for World Environment; and Agence Francaise de Development or the French Agency for Development.

Rhino relocation was considered an effective method of managing the population. Maina said an estimated 200 black rhinos had been relocated to and between Kenya's rhino conservation areas in the last 20 years.

According to Martin Mulama, the Kenya Wildlife Service Rhino programme co-ordinator, officials would use ultrasound for the first time to determine whether female rhinos were pregnant and could be transported safely to Meru.

- AP