NAIROBI, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) said Friday it has completed a 10-day operation to translocate 10 southern white rhinos to Loisaba Conservancy in northern Kenya, in a bid to expand habitats, boost breeding prospects, and strengthen protection for the species.
The exercise, conducted with Loisaba Conservancy, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and supported by Sharjah Safari, aligns with Kenya's strategy to manage rhino populations across secure, well-protected landscapes, the KWS said in a statement.
"The safe relocation of these animals reflects our shared commitment to conservation and to ensuring that future generations experience the value of Kenya's wildlife," KWS Director-General Erustus Kanga said.
The agency said the move marks a new chapter in Loisaba's conservation efforts and reinforces its role in Kenya's national rhino conservation and management action plan. The rhinos were relocated from Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and Meru National Park, both strongholds under the KWS oversight.
As part of best practice, KWS deployed advanced capture and relocation techniques. "The process entails the use of an immobilization protocol that facilitates walking the rhino into the transportation crate. This way, the veterinarian gets ample time to monitor the animals' vital parameters during loading of the rhino," said Isaac Lekolool, KWS head of veterinary and capture services.
The KWS noted that although southern white rhinos are not native to Kenya, the country now hosts the world's third-largest population after South Africa and Namibia. White rhinos, it added, are key for tourism and conservation education, giving Kenya an important role in the species' recovery.
With the addition of the 10 rhinos, Loisaba joins Kenya's growing network of white rhino sanctuaries and becomes one of the few conservancies hosting both black and white rhinos.
