Seven of the 14 black rhinos that were moved from Nairobi and Lake Nakuru national parks two weeks ago have reportedly died in unclear circumstances at the Tsavo East National Park.
The programme was conducted jointly between Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and the World Wide Fund (WWF).
Last week, WWF acknowledged that the exercise posed life threats to the animals. This was through a statement shared through the media.
“Translocating wild animals of this size is extremely challenging and not without risk, but black rhinos are under enormous threat so efforts to try and better protect them, such as translocation, are crucial for future generations,” read WWF’s statement.
Read: Nairobi National Park Shrinking As A Result Of SGR Construction
At the kick off of the transfer exercise, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary, Najib Balala confirmed that the city wildlife sanctuary is facing various challenges especially in capacity.
“With more than 100 black rhinos currently at the park, its ability to host 45 rhinos that had been designed for the 117.2 square kilometres facility had been outstripped,” Balala said after receiving two vehicles valued at Ksh14 million; three motor bikes and electronic equipment including computers, surveillance cameras and GPS equipment worthy Ksh3 million from WWF-K.
Early this year, environmentalists filed a case at the National Environmental Tribunal to oppose construction of phase 2A of the SGR across the national park. Despite that, the construction started and is in its final stages of completion.
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