Today three of the ten new white rhino’s of Nairobi National Park did a runner and escaped in to the nearby gorges.
Concerned for their safety, KWS caught them by darting from a helicopter. One of them nearly fell down a cliff but was saved at the last minute. I was able to get a few photos of the recapture and return of this particular rhino.
Drugged, Bound in ropes and with his eyes covered he probably wasn’t aware of the commotion around him.
Once inside the box it was lifted onto the vehicle and he was driven away, back to the National Park where hopefuly, he and the other two will stay this time!
Donations made here are
Feb 28th Liza H USD 11.00
4 Comments
the three ran away maybe because there is so much cattle inside the Park grazing illegally and competing for the disappearing grass and water outside the park. and where is the KWS to reinforce the park rules like no cattle or any livestock grazing and entering the national park for wildlife only?
Wow, they are massive!
This was an unnecessary operation. I was the person who alerted the Warden to the fact that 2 animals were in the Silole Sanctuary, adjacent to the park (a cow & a calf) & when I saw them they were just outside the park, probably on their way back in BY THEMSELVES…..my last sms to the Warden was “they are safe here”. KWS should have MONITORED them as they investigated new territory (they only arrived a week ago!!!)
KWS have got this all wrong on 2 counts.
1. Any layman (like me) knows that rhinos should be put in a (boma -enclosure) after translocation until they get used to new surroundings & get the all important SCENT MARKS laid down in a core area, ESPECIALLY in an area where there are no white rhinos (see my blog http://www.nairobinationalpark.wildlifedirect.org
2. These new rhinos were NOT boma’d & were just let out to explore their new surroundings
3.Translocation is HIGHLY stressful for the animals concerned. The calf was separated from it’s mother & chased around the Silole Sanctuary by helicopter (it was so terrified it ran through TWO barbed wire fences, including one on my property & even took refuge right next to one of my houses !)
These rhinos could have just plodded their sedate way back into the park, but instead were chased by helicopter, drugged, bound, crated & traumatised for the second time in two weeks!
Oh dear!
Wow, poor fella! Must have been a trauma for them..at least people were trying to help! I really hope they can stay safe…not enough left to lose any!