The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) on Friday announced plans to translocate 21 female and male black rhinoceros to Loisaba Conservancy before the end of January to boost the population of the iconic species.

KWS Director General Erastus Kanga said the black rhinoceros will come from Nairobi National Park, Ol Pejeta Conservancy, and Lewa Wildlife Conservancy.

“This strategic action of having 21 rhinos in Loisaba Conservancy aligns with our vision to establish viable habitats, fostering optimal conditions for rhinos to thrive,” Kanga said.

Further, he said the black rhinoceros were on the brink of extinction three decades ago, but since then, the numbers have climbed so rapidly that they are overcrowding their sanctuaries.

On his part, Loisaba Conservancy, Chief Executive Officer(CEO), Tom Silvester, said the key to success in increasing Kenya’s black rhinoceros population has been safeguarding the species in protected areas.

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Silvester noted that black rhinoceros are solitary animals; without enough room to disperse, they cannot be encouraged to breed.

According to the KWS, the current population of the black rhinoceros stands at about 966, up from 240 in 1984 due to enhanced security against poachers.